Laois will not be getting another Columbarium Wall, as the County Council has once again kiboshed a request from a community cemetery.
Councillor John King raised the matter, asking that Laois County Council install a Columbarium Wall in Bealady cemetery, Rathdowney.
Speaking at the December meeting of the Borris-in-Ossory-Mountmellick Municipal District, the Fine Gael Councillor said the request comes directly from people of Rathdowney.
Mr Donal Brennan, Director of Services, said there is not sufficient demand for such as service to warrant the cost.
“Laois County Council monitors the demand for inurnments in the county and notes that since niches became available in the columbarium wall at St Peter and Paul’s cemetery Portlaoise in 2022, a total of eight niches have been sold,” he said.
“Laois County Council will continue to monitor the demand for inurnments, however, it is not proposed to install a columbarium wall in Bealady cemetery Mountrath at this time.
“The interment of cremated remains in conventional burial plots (which includes Bealady cemetery) is provided for in the Laois County Council Cemetery Bye Laws 2022.”
The response came much to the chagrin of all six County Councillors, with each having their say on the matter.
Cllr King said he was “happy to propose the Columbarium Wall for Bealady cemetery” and said the cost of such would be modest.
Fellow Fine Gael Councillor Conor Bergin and Independent Councillors James Kelly and Ollie Clooney all supported the motion.
Cllr Kelly said “If you’re from Rathdowney, you don’t want to be in a Columbarium Wall in Portlaoise;” Cllr Bergin reiterated the demand for the service; while Cllr Clooney said he believes there should be a Columbarium Wall in every community in the County.
Fianna Fáil Councillor Paddy Bracken bemoaned the fact that he had asked for a Columbarium Wall for Mountmellick and received the same negative response, saying “it seems Portlaoise is going to be the main centre” for such a service.
Next, Cllr King requested the installation of three age friendly and disabled parking areas outside in the square, Rathdowney “to cater for patrons who need to park close to the hall, church, bank and other services on a daily basis.”
Mr Rory O’Callaghan, Senior Executive Engineer, confirmed that the requested parking spaces would be provided.
The Fine Gael Councillor also called on the Council to “upgrade road markings and install coloured pencil bollards” outside Scoil Bhride National School, Rathdowney.
Cllr King said these improvements were needed “to create road safety awareness for all drivers of vehicles and children attending this school.”
Mr Diarmuid Donohoe, Senior Executive Engineer at Laois County Council’s Active Travel Department, said”
“To date, works completed at schools has been done through the Safe Routes to School Programme, led by An Taisce.
“It is recommended that Scoil Bhride applies for inclusion on the programme when An Taisce next invites applications.”
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