Mourner heartbroken to see fresh graves and pathways mucky and sodden

A heartbroken mourner was aghast when she visited her family graveyard on Mothering Sunday to find it in a ‘disgusting’ state.
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The Portadown woman shared photos of Kernan Cemetery, a municipal graveyard run by Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council.

They depicted freshly filled in graves which were soaked in water with flowers barely able to remain on the sodden earth.

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Mucky pathways were described as ‘disgraceful’ and the paths were barely visible, merging into the equally mucky verges.

Graves are awash at Kernan Cemetery on Mothering Sunday.Graves are awash at Kernan Cemetery on Mothering Sunday.
Graves are awash at Kernan Cemetery on Mothering Sunday.

The woman who shared the photographs with the Portadown Times said she had visited her family grave on Mothering Sunday.

“I was heartbroken to see it in such a terrible state,” she said.

“I was heartbroken for all the families who visited loved ones on Sunday,” said said..

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“Third world countries have more respect then our ABC council,” she said.

Footpaths at Kernan Cemetery described as 'disgraceful'.Footpaths at Kernan Cemetery described as 'disgraceful'.
Footpaths at Kernan Cemetery described as 'disgraceful'.

DUP Cllr Darryn Causby said: “The place is a disgrace. We have approval though council to install proper paths and I am waiting on a timeline for this at the minute!

“I brought this issue through committee a few months ago and money has been set aside in this years budget to resolve it.

“Although the condition of the ground is unacceptable and has caused significant distress!”

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The DUP MLA Jonathan Buckley has been working with Cllr Causby on this issue and ‘the unacceptable conditions at Kernan Cemetery were raised in writing with ABC Council in November’.

Footpaths and graves in a distressing state for visitors on Mothering Sunday.Footpaths and graves in a distressing state for visitors on Mothering Sunday.
Footpaths and graves in a distressing state for visitors on Mothering Sunday.

“We have been given reassurances from Environmental Services that every effort is being made to resolve these issues as soon as practically possible with drainage and footpath provision being put in place.

“The current conditions are not in any way sustainable and it’s clear they have been compounded by the recent bad weather.”

A spokesperson for ABC Council said: “Council is aware of the concerns at Kernan Cemetery and is progressing the installation of permanent footpaths, with groundworks due to commence in early summer.

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“This action will rectify issues relating to adverse weather in various locations within the cemetery’.

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