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City cemeteries to reach full capacity in three years time E-mail
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Wednesday, 24 January 2007
Galway city's cemeteries will reach full capacity in as little as three year's time, prompting calls for City Council officials to identify new sites and to consider the possibility of a crematorium for the city.

At a meeting of Galway City Council on Monday night, Progressive Democrats Councillor Donal Lyons called on the City Council to identify and source a site for the provision of a cemetery in the West of Galway City to replace the existing burial ground in Rahoon. Councillor Billy Cameron called for the council to explore the option of a crematorium for the city, saying people should be given the option of "going up in smoke".

However, Fine Gael Councillor Padraig Conneely questioned if a crematorium could be privately built and then run by Galway City Council.

Councillor Terry O'Flaherty said a burial ground should be located close to the Knocknacarra area. He said the idea of a crematorium should be explored in tandem with an additional burial ground or a combination of both.

Independent Councillor Catherine Connolly congratulated the local authority on the service it gives in the city's cemeteries. She felt that the chamber should not be used for the 'shameless promotion' of private enterprise. The councillor, who suggested the alternative of lawn cemeteries, felt there should always be a choice.

Councillor Daniel Callanan expressed his surprise that the west coast hasn't been accommodated with a crematorium, asking if there is a planning issue with the facility. He said the increasing cost of land, particularly in the city, meant it is going to become expensive for people to be buried.

Mayor of Galway City Niall O Brolcháin mooted ecologically sound burials, which are becoming more popular across Europe. When asked by fellow councillors what this meant, he said that one would be buried in a biodegradable coffin. This would provide a choice and it could be accommodated within an existing cemetery. However, he felt public consultation needs to take place.

Mr Tom Connell, Director of Services, Environment, told councillors that his objective is to try and source sites to replace the burial grounds on either side of the river. Investigations are ongoing in this regard. It is a huge challenge to source and buy land, he said. Mr Connell added that planning permission is required for a crematorium, noting that a new crematorium in Cork had been built privately.

Cllr Donal Lyons, whose motion was passed unanimously by his colleagues, urged Mr Connell to identify sites in the East and West of the city immediately, and to go down the CPO route if necessary. Galway City Manager, Joe MacGrath assured councillors that the council is actively looking for land for new cemeteries, adding that CPOs will be considered if necessary. He undertook to report back to councillors in due course.



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