'There is nothing as degrading for families,' Dogs allowed to poo on graves
The council say they will install a barrier to stop the practice of letting dogs off-lead in the Abbeyside Graveyard. Stock Image.
People are allowing their dogs to “do their business” on graves in Abbeyside Graveyard.
That is according to councillors at the November sitting of the Dungarvan-Lismore District Council.
The issue was raised first by Cllr Joe O’Riordan, followed by Cllrs Pat Nugent and Damien Geoghegan, who called for the council to put in place measures to solve the problem.
And they had some strong words for dog walkers.
Cllr Nugent said: “There is nothing as degrading for families to have people buried in that graveyard and to have dogs pooing on graves, and that is happening at the moment.”
Cllr Geoghegan said: “There is nothing more disrespectful than people walking their dogs in graveyards and taking dogs off their leads and allowing them to do their business on people’s graves.”
Director of Roads Gabriel Hynes said the council has provided a new footpath, so there is no need to go through the graveyard.
Additionally, they will be installing a barrier to prevent people from walking dogs in the graveyard.
“There, there is a fine new footpath there and to encourage the public to use it rather than going through the graveyard and we will do additional works,” said Mr Hynes.
Cllr Geoghegan said the barrier has been promised for some time, while Cllr Nugent said it needed to be done before Christmas.
Mr Hynes said he could not guarantee the barrier before Christmas because it needs to be fabricated, galvanised and painted before it can be installed, and he is not sure at what stage of the process the barrier is at.
“But we will prioritise it in the shortest time frame possible, but it will take time, said Mr Hynes.
