Parishioners of the Village of Gneeveguilla located in East Kerry might soon have to be buried outside of the parish, warns Fianna Fáil Kerry TD Michael Cahill. “There’s only a handful of burial plots left,” he told The Irish Catholic.
The cemetery is located on the grounds of the Church of the Holy Rosary and most of the land nearby are unsuitable due to the existence of groundwater and rock.
Mr Cahill said he has been in contact with Kerry County Council who contacted landowners in suitable areas, “but were informed those are not for sale.” He has been working with the new CEO of Kerry County Council, Fearghal Reidy, to resolve the matter. “It’s a big issue and it can be very emotive for people.”
In a new report sent to Mr Cahill last week, Peter Bradley, Executive Engineer in Kerry County Council said, “land in the centre of the village was offered for consideration and trial holes were dug here which showed that the groundwater was at 1.8 meters or less from ground level.” Burial grounds require no groundwater or rocks to a minimum depth of 2.65 meters.
“The residents are genuinely concerned,” the Deputy said. If land to extend the cemetery cannot be acquired, there are great chances Gneeveguilla parishioners will have to be buried in Rathmore cemetery.
“There are no issues between the two parishes,” he said, “but people would like to be buried in their own parish. Even if it’s only a very short distance away, it’s still not the same for these individuals and families.”
“I’ll do anything possible to try and help the residents and help the Burial Ground Committee. And please God that something will come up.”
