A local resident has issued concerns regarding the state a number of graves were left in following grass cutting by Louth County Council in Dowdallshill last week. The local man said he was shocked to find a number of graves covered in grass following extensive work in the graveyard by workers from Louth County Council.
Prior to the work being carried out a number of people on social media as well as a number of local councillors had expressed shock and disgust at the state of the graveyard and how badly kept it was. Last Friday a number of ride on lawnmowers and strimmers were utilised to cut the grass around the cemetery which is the biggest in Dundalk, containing over 10,000 graves.
While the sight of the grass being cut was welcomed from all quarters the mess left behind in certain parts of the graveyard were flagged to the Dundalk Leader by an angry local resident who was shocked to see a number of graves completely covered with grass.
“I couldn’t believe it when I saw how many graves were left completely covered with grass. I’m relatively fit and was able to clear any grass away from my relatives graves but it would be practically impossible for an elderly person to clear away that mess especially if their graves were covered with those small decorative stones.
“Of course I welcome the fact that Louth County Council are out cutting the grass and trying to keep the place right but these workers need to have a bit more respect and care when going about their job. Can they not put a sheet over the graves when they are strimming in between graves?” he asked.
When contacted by the Dundalk Leader, Louth County Council insisted that employees using strimmers always strive to minimize the spread of cut grass to adjoining graves.
“Louth County Council can confirm that grass cutting at the graveyard in Dowdallshill was carried out last week.
“While resource issues can sometimes result in grass growth to the recent level, the council strives to ensure that it is a rare occurrence. When it does occur, council operatives using strimmers strive to minimise the spread of cut grass to adjoining graves, but some such spread can occur.
“When the spread of cut grass from strimming is excessive, council staff will remove the larger portion of grass cuttings from the graves, leaving only smaller amounts. Normal weather conditions, including wind and rain, will eliminate the remaining grass cuttings with time,” concluded the statement.
