FIANNA Fáil TD Willie O’Dea has hit out at Limerick City and County Council for what he deems the poor and dangerous condition of the mortuary chapel at Mount St Lawrence Cemetery.
Deputy O’Dea told the Limerick Post that the chapel has been left in a “disgraceful state of repair”. He called on the local authority to intervene and ensure the chapel is renovated and made safe.
“Mount Saint Lawrence is Limerick’s largest cemetery and the final resting place of both Limerick’s most important figures and its poorest citizens. The chapel, which was constructed in 1855, is a very important part of Limerick’s built heritage,” he said.
Deputy O’Dea and party colleague Cllr Catherine Slattery have urged the Council to implement a plan to restore the chapel in Mount St Lawrence, which they deem a danger to the public.
Last year, Cllr Slattery urged the Council to make a submission for funding under the Department of Heritage’s Historic Structures Fund for the Mount St Lawrence chapel, with the local authority undertaking that it would do so.
Hitting out at the condition at Mount St Lawrence, Cllr Slattery said that “the chapel there is now in a dangerous state”.
“The roof had caved in and there is steel sheeting now covering the roof and the crypt has collapsed and has temporary railings around it.”
She claimed that “if someone is injured, the Council will be 100 percent liable”.
“Also, if the church starts to deteriorate more, it could attract anti-social behaviour and this is certainly something we don’t want in the main cemetery in Limerick.”
In response, the Council explained that three days after the issue was raised during the July Metropolitan District meeting, a senior engineer and senior executive technician visited the site of the mortuary chapel.
“It was agreed to implement immediate aesthetic improvements to the safety measures at the chapel. It was further agreed that an additional technical resource would be allocated to accelerate required renovation works,” the Council stated.
“This person has been appointed and is currently working with the Conservation Officer at LCCC to produce tender documentation, seeking the appointment of a specialist consultant to design and implement the required works.
“The chapel is not open to the public and is locked at all times. The restoration works largely pertain to the interior of the chapel.”
