Kildare Cllr: Confey Cemetery issue ‘could be one of the worst situations we've had in a long, long time’

The Cathaoirleach of the Celbridge-Leixlip Municipal District (MD) has said that the Confey Cemetery spaces issue "could be one of the worst situations we've had in a long, long time".

Fianna Fáil Cllr and Cathaoirleach Brendan Caldwell expressed his concern over the dwindling number of spaces available at the burial ground in Confey during the latest MD meeting, which took place on the morning of Friday, March 21 last.

He specifically motioned for Kildare County Council (KCC) to "urgently" identify a site in Confey for a new burial ground.

This motion was seconded by Fine Gael Cllr Lumi Panaite Fahey.

Commenting further on his motion, Cllr Caldwell said: "This is really, really urgent, and it's unfortunate that it's gotten to this stage."

He added: "[The cemetery is] going to be full in six months, and what do we do then? We are going to let the people down."

Fianna Fáil Cllr and Cathaoirleach Brendan Caldwell. Photo credit: kildarecoco.ie

Cllr Caldwell's sentiments were echoed by Social Democrats Cllr Nuala Killeen, who appeared at the meeting by virtual means.

"We are running out of time," she said, and added that the amount of spaces being provided at the cemetery is not in proportion with the rising population of Confey.

Another Fine Gael Cllr, Paul Brooks, also announced his support for the motion (Cllr Brooks also appeared at the meeting by virtual means).

Raising his point once more, Cllr Caldwell warned: "This could be one of the worst situations we've had in a long, long time."

A representative for KCC who was present at the meeting told the members that addressing the issue is "a priority" for the council.

"We [at KCC] are working on it," the representative asserted.

It was agreed at the closing of the motion to leave the matter on KCC's progress report.

RELATED QUESTION

Directly after Cllr Caldwell's motion was concluded, he put forward the following question to KCC, which also related to Confey Cemetery: "Can the council provide an update on the repair to the wall at Confey Cemetery?"

In response, KCC said via a report presented to the attendees of the meeting: "The council has included works to the wall in its programme of works for this calendar year."

"The level of works will depend on the availability of funding," KCC added.

Cllr Caldwell also told KCC: "It's not a big job, and the area will look a lot better."

A representative of KCC replied: "It is in the works programme, but funding hasn't been finalised yet."

READ NEXT: New grants available for music education in Kildare schools