Grieving widow leads sombre protest over cemetery closure

The protest was led by Etta D’Arcy, who lost her husband Hugh last August.

Mrs D’Arcy said she had been visiting her late husband’s grave every day since he was interred at the City Cemetery in Creggan eight months ago.

The decision by Derry City and Strabane council to close the site last month to help contain the spread of the Covid-19 illness ended what was, she said, her ‘only comfort.’

“My husband died last August and I go up to the cemetery every day. It’s my comfort,” said Mrs D’Arcy.

She said this sentiment was shared by all of those who turned out in solidarity yesterday.

During the demonstration protestors lined the roadside outside the cemetery while observing social distancing restrictions.

A marked PSNI patrol car made a number of passes during the brief picket that took place from 11 to 11.15am.

Mrs D’Arcy pleaded with the authorities to lift the ban.

“If they can close the gate they can open it,” she said.

“I want up to see my husband. That’s my only comfort and all the people who are here, it is their comfort.”

She added: “I know exactly how they feel because we are all in the same boat.”

Mrs D’Arcy’s daughter Michelle Burns briefly addressed the demonstration and said further protests would be called if the restrictions were not eased.

Mrs Burns said: “I hope everyone will come and support our loved ones again.”

Addressing the local council, Mrs D’Arcy said: “If they have no compassion for people like this then what do you do? You have to call protests like this. If they don’t open that cemetery I’m continuing. You see the heartbreak in people’s faces. Who are they to deny us this?”

The council said: “We understand how difficult this is for the people but the decision to reopen is not council’s to make and we would urge the public to please adhere to the advice to stay at home and help to prevent the spread of this virus.”

Should the regulations change, council will respond accordingly, they said.