Dept refusing to fund Sligo Cemetery’s ¤ 1.2m extension
THE Department of the Environment is refusing to fund an extension to Sligo Cemetery.
Councillor Sean MacManus asked the Council what they had done so far to provide an extension to Sligo Cemetery.
He was told that the former Sligo Borough Council had applied for loans to build an extension from the Department of the Environment in 2011 and 2013 but was turned down each time.
A preliminary cost plan estimates it would cost ¤ 1.2m to extend the town’s main burial ground.
Meanwhile the Cemetery at Court Abbey, Lavagh is also almost full, with only three single plots left.
Councillor Dara Mulvey enquired about the cemetery and was told that the Council’s Roads Department had investigated several sites in the Lavagh area but none proved suitable.
“Sligo County Council would appear to have exhausted all options in the local area unless further sites are identified for investigation,” a statement said from the Council.
“Future interments could take place in Achonry Graveyard which is located approximately 4.5km from Mullinabreena Church and has the capacity to serve both the Lavagh and Achonry areas for the next 15- 20 years. If the community could identify possible available sites then Sligo County Council will assess suitability for a Cemetery,” they said. A meeting is expected to be held locally in Lavagh to discuss the issue.