‘Pure scumbags’ desecrated graves
By Maurice Garvey
VANDALS destroyed over 30 graves at historic Bluebell Cemetery this week leaving numerous relatives in tears at the shock discovery.
The graveyard dates back over 300 years and is owned by Dublin City Council.
The Echo understands thugs broke into the site late on Friday night/Saturday morning and again on Monday night.
Shocked relatives of people buried in Bluebell, flocked to the site on Wednesday as word spread of the mindless attacks.
“I met one chap who was in tears – both his grandparents and brother are buried there,” said a Bluebell resident.
“A lot of people have been coming and going today. There is a problem with fencing and security at the cemetery. People are drinking and climbing the ruins of the old church. It is attracting the wrong crowd and something needs to be done before more graves are destroyed. The cemetery has been there hundreds of years and it’s only now that this is happening.”
Dublin City Council said it is coordinating with gardai and the local community to monitor the situation, and that temporary fencing has been put in place to obstruct access to the cemetery after dark.
The earliest known gravestone dates back to 1713, according to records with the Department of Arts and Heritage, whilst Church of Ireland burials took place from 1742 to 2001.
The Echo understands the cemetery also hosted Catholic burials in later years, and while the cemetery is mostly full, there is still room ‘on top’ for burials on a family plot.
Independent Councillor Francis Timmons, whose great-grandparents are buried in Bluebell, slammed the thugs as “pure scumbags.”
“I only heard about it on Tuesday night and don’t drive, so I’m hoping to get down on Saturday. It’s totally unnecessary – pure scumbags.”
The site is also home to the ruins of a church which was in use in 1547 at the time of the dissolution of St Patrick’s Cathedral, according to the Department of Arts and Heritage.
It is unclear if affected families are liable for repairs.
A spokesperson for DCC said a total of 23 gravestones were damaged.
“It is not clear as to why this old cemetery has been subjected to such senseless vandalism. Of the gravestones that have been damaged, some no longer have family at a known address, however where it is possible, families are being notified.
“DCC is assessing the extent of the damage to the gravestones and likely cost of repair in order to restore the cemetery to a place of peace and contemplation for the local community.”
Gardai told The Echo they are investigating criminal damage to “up to 30 headstones” at Bluebell Cemetery damaged between 24-27 August.
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