Families in distress over waterlogged graves in Waterford
The issue of waterlogging in the cemetery has been a cause of distress for some time.
At the recent meeting of Waterford’s Metropolitan Council, Waterford Fianna Fail Councillor Eamon Quinlan, called out the ongoing waterlogging within St Declan’s Cemetery.
The Cemetery is located close to the sea and since opening for use by the public there have been ongoing problems with flooding.
Commenting on the matter to Waterford News & Star, Cllr Quinlan said the situation got so bad a number of years ago that the Council installed a new French drainage system to alleviate things.
However, now several years later, locals continue to report water logging across section of graves.
Imploring the Council to take action on the matter, Cllr Quinlan said: "Routinely, I have families who have loved ones, who have passed away and are now buried in St Declan’s, tell me about how distressing it is, to walk in and see the grave of a father, a mother, a close friend etc. flooded with water."
He said images on social media showed people indicating a line of graves, in a state that he said could only be described as resembling a bog "with water sloshing between graves, puddles in individual graves, waterlogged surfaces".
"I mean this is deeply distressing and above all insulting to local families," he said.
"The new cemetery is the only option for many families and they deserve far better than this," he added.
Cllr Quinlan went on to comment: "I know the Council spent decent money putting in a new drainage system several years ago. Those of us on the Council at the time approved the funding but we have to call a spade a spade here. It hasn’t worked. I know some of our engineers at the time were prepared to go bigger in terms of a drainage system if needed and that time has come. We need to invest the money to upgrade and expand the drainage system right across the cemetery."
"It will be far easier to intervene now then in years to come when the cemetery’s grave slots are all full," said Cllr Quinlan.
Responding to Cllr Quinlan, the Councils Executive staff confirmed that they were still receiving complaints about the cemetery and that they would look at what options, from an engineering standpoint, could be delivered to alleviate the build up on water in the cemetery.
However, that may require a budgetary allocation if the cost is speculated to be high and no direct national funding is forthcoming.
“Our environment team confirmed to me after the meeting that they will commence a review of the drainage shortcomings in the cemetery," said Cllr Quinlan.
"While that is a welcome, and necessary first step to resolving this issue, it cannot be allowed to be reviewed and then not actioned," he added.
Acknowledging there are demands on the Council's resources, Cllr Quinlan said it's a matter of "decency".
"I think all my colleagues will agree that if something like this is brought before us for funding, we will make the required allocation," he said.
"I think we can all accept, something like this, touches people and families in a profound way," he added. "Ensuring those who are loved in our community, are given a respectful place to be laid to rest, where those who knew them can come and pay their respects is a core service we as a Council owe everyone living here."
