The long-running discussion over future burial capacity at St Gabriel’s Cemetery has moved a step forward, with officials confirming that a multidisciplinary design team will begin work within weeks.
Wicklow County Council official Sarah McCullough told district councillors in Arklow at their September monthly meeting that the local authority had received no expressions of interest for additional burial land, despite repeated efforts to identify suitable sites.
With no external options emerging, officials now believe that changes to the existing layout may be the most viable short to medium term solution.
She said around 50 unallocated plots remain, excluding the columbarium, and that a detailed survey of the cemetery will be the first step in determining how much additional capacity can realistically be created within the current boundaries.
Councillors used the discussion to revisit long-standing concerns about both the condition of the cemetery and the behaviour of people accessing the area.
Cllr Pat Fitzgerald said residents were increasingly frustrated by people congregating near the cemetery and parking their cars along the access routes, creating what he described as an ongoing nuisance for those living nearby.
He said the situation had deteriorated in recent years and needed to be addressed as part of any redesign.
Cllr Slyvester Bourke raised the issue of illegal tipping, which he said continued to occur at the site. He argued that the council needed to think “more strategically” and that the only realistic long term solution was the purchase of additional land.
Cllr Bourke said acquiring new burial space was now of critical importance, given the sustained population growth in the district.
Cllr Warren O’Toole said upgrades to the cemetery were clearly needed but warned against “demonising parents” who use the area for school access.
He said the majority behaved responsibly and that any changes to gate access or parking arrangements would need to take account of school related traffic.
Cllr Peir Leonard welcomed the appointment of consultants, noting that one of the team had previously worked at Glasnevin Cemetery, which she described as a positive sign.
She said the council needed to go “further than expressions of interest” when seeking land for future burials, arguing that a more proactive approach was required to secure long term capacity.
The length of time the issue has been under discussion was a recurring theme. Cllr Pat Kennedy said it had been six years since the matter was initially raised at the district level, when more than 120 plots remained.
He said the council had spent too long “talking about doing something” and that it was welcome to finally see movement, but stressed that the project would be “very sensitive” and required careful handling.
Cllr Miriam Murphy went further, saying there had been talk of purchasing land for 15 years and that it “should have happened before now”.
District administrator Alvina Brehony said one option would be to close the cemetery gates, but acknowledged that this would likely face pushback from parents accessing the nearby school.
She said the issue ultimately came down to parental behaviour, and that policing access would be difficult.
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