Graves will not be disturbed
NAAS, 31 October: by Trish Whelan. Work has started on the cleanup of Abbey Cemetery - a Millennium Project of Naas UDC - pictured above. An undertaking has been given by Naas UDC that graves will not be disturbed in the process. Fears had been expressed over the raising of the levels on the gate side of the cemetery which is located on Abbey Road.
Some graves date back to 1780. Cllr Mary Glennon asked if these would be affected by the new infill. Her grandparents are buried there. “I didn’t realise the level will be brought up,” she said.
Town clerk Declan Kirrane explained major graves will not be disturbed by the work. He said a number of gravestones are buried and will be reset into a gravel area. A major survey of graves and headstones has already been undertaken.
Cllr Seamie Moore said the only stones to be lifted are those with nothing on them. He said all stones had been identified on a map, and not all are headstones. He said the section nearest Abbey Road is being raised to allow for easier access on the Naas side of the existing gate.
©2001trishwhelan/knn