Concerned members of the public are being asked to join forces with a group working to improve accessibility at an Armagh cemetery.
Parishioners Against Discrimination contacted Armagh I to raise their concerns about the difficulty many residents are facing when attending St Patrick’s Cemetery on Sandy Hill.
One of the group’s members said she regrettably missed her first Cemetery Sunday ever this year due to “parking issues” and having to walk so far to the graves.
And she wasn’t alone. Another member of the public who spoke to this publication said their grandmother was also forced to miss Cemetery Sunday in June because of her own mobility issues.
The service is one of the most well attended events in the Parish calendar, with many thousands descending on the site every year.
The group member said they complained to the Parish in the lead up to the service, but was advised that those with mobility issues should attend the Mass in the Cathedral at 5.30pm instead.
To this, the member said, “My loved one is not buried at the Cathedral, she’s buried at the graveyard… It’s an event for everyone but half of the people cannot get to it because it’s not accessible.”
The member of the public we spoke with suggested a shuttle bus service could perhaps be implemented to ferry those less mobile to and from the graveyard for services such as Cemetery Sunday.
Among the issues noted, the member said the cemetery was “running out of room” and that plots were “squeezed so tightly together” that one family can no longer access the grave of their deceased loved one.
Others find it difficult to gather together at the gravesides due to lack of space.
The group also claim that benches placed in dedication to those who have passed away have even been removed by the Parish, with one allegedly being “lifted by a digger and smashed to bits”.
They say that despite asking the Parish for remuneration in respect of the damages that no compensation or replacement has ever been offered.
In response to request for comment, Father Barry Matthews explained he is currently unfortunately out of the country but it is a matter he is keen to speak to in full upon his return.
He did take the time to reinforce that the cemetery is over 100 years old and that its layout is “difficult to manoeuvre”, however, the Parish are “bound by the advice of the PSNI and other statutory bodies who play an active part and who direct much of the planning for Cemetery Sunday”.
He said: “Safety is paramount on days of large gatherings such as this – access to the cemetery is by foot only with the exception of emergency medical services at the request of the emergency services.”
The issues regarding damage and removal of benches, Father Matthews, said are “unfounded” and in terms of plot location and proximity to other graves, he said that “clear guidelines” around burials are given to every family who have loved ones buried on site.
Parishioners Against Discrimination say they now wish to hold a public meeting to discuss and, hopefully, address their concerns with the Parish.
Currently, they are assessing the interest and ask anyone who wishes to put their own concerns forward to fill in the below form.
Details will not be made public, but they will be passed confidentially to the group, who will then be in touch with each person individually.
If you would like to be put in contact with Parishioners Against Discrimination please fill your details in below to be put in touch.
