THE Government has turned down a request for land for a graveyard in a specified area of Killarney National Park, it was confirmed yesterday.
However, Junior Environment Minister Batt O’Keeffe invited Killarney Town Council and Kerry County Council to seek land in another section of the park.
But it emerged yesterday that any site for a burial ground in the National Park would have to comply with habitats directives and other environmental regulations.
A site earmarked by the councils in the Muckross area was ruled out on the advice of the Chief State Solicitor’s office. This site was part of land bequeathed to the State under the Bourn Vincent Memorial Park Act 1932, and cannot be leased, or disposed of, according to the act.
However, Kerry South councillor Tom Fleming yesterday said National Park authorities were willing to allow the councils to seek a location in a section of the park unaffected by the 1932 act or other restrictions.
“On his visit to Killarney last week, Mr O’Keeffe informed me of the move which is good news for the town,” he said. “It’s imperative that suitable land be acquired quickly because Killarney’s local authority burial grounds are almost full.”
All three public burial grounds in Killarney are virtually out of space and the councils have been trying unsuccessfully for additional land for several years.
Irish Examiner
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