HOUSEHOLD waste and electrical appliances have been dumped alongside graves in Conwal Cemetery and is causing upset for people visiting the resting place of loved ones.
The rubbish has been discarded inside the main entrance to the burial ground, in and around a large skip provided by Donegal County Council for the proper disposal of materials from graves, such as withering floral arrangements and older wreaths.
Fr Kevin Gillespie, Administrator, St Eunan’s Cathedral, has asked people to report any unusual activity at Conwal.
“It is sad to say that the skips at Conwal have been used on occasion for the disposal of household waste and even, recently, electrical appliances. We ask the pubic to remain vigilant and to report any unusual activity at Conwal, particularly after dark, so that this disrespectful activity can be stopped. Please respect the resting place for our beloved dead,” Fr Gillespie said.
“Skips are provided for the disposal of wreaths and decayed flowers only. Some people are abusing the facilities. They’re probably not our own parishioners but instead people who might be passing along the road. It’s unsettling for people and if it continues we might have to review leavng a skip there at all,” he added.
Fr Kevin Gillespie reminded parishioners not to discard materials from family graves along the perimeter walls or anywhere else except the skip. He also sounded a note of caution to dog owners.
“I’ve a great love for dogs myself but I understand that there have been difficulties with dog fouling in the graveyard which is being left to volunteers and members of the Community Employment Scheme to clean up. I would ask people not to take their dogs into the graveyard in the first place as, unfortunately, fouling is becoming a problem. If you have to take your dog with you can I ask that bring suitable bags to pick up and take away the waste anywhere this may occur in the graveyard or car park,” Fr Gillespie said.
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