COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM/TEMPLEOGUE-TERENURE AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

MOTION NO. 13

MOTION: Councillor D. O'Donovan

"That the Chief Executive give a report on the maintenance of Bohernabreena Cemetery.  Constituents are very disappointed at the haphazard grass-cutting and have noted the vast difference between the maintenance in other Lawn Cemeteries, such as Palmerstown."

REPORT:

"It should be noted that Saggart and Bohernabreena lawn cemeteries are operated and maintained by South Dublin County Council, while other lawn cemeteries in the County such as Newlands and Palmerstown are not.

On recent inspection of Bohernabreena graveyard the grass had just recently been cut and this afforded an opportunity to examine the grass cutting quality in detail.  The main issues identified are that grass cuttings were not collected as part of the grass cutting on this occasion.  Also, while the edges of margins were neatly trimmed earlier in the year they are now in need of similar attention again.  It is intended that both these matters will be addressed in the coming weeks, the grass cuttings will be collected when the grass is cut next and a programme of edging of grass margins will commence as soon as possible.  The main issue relating to maintenance of grass areas in the graveyard however is that while the new graveyard is designated as a lawn cemetery many graves have temporary or in some cases permanent kerbing in place, as well as other items placed on the grave.  This means that the grass cannot be cut in a uniform manner across a row of grave plots.  The Council has made efforts to address this matter in the past and will continue to do so, however it has proven to be extremely difficult in some cases to get compliance with the requirements of the lawn cemetery as some families do not want Council staff working on them."