Outrage and shock has been expressed at what seems to be a rampant level of thefts from gravesides in Clare.
There’s been a focus on Drumcliffe Cemetery, but Thursday’s Morning Focus heard that the issue has arisen elsewhere as well.
Gavin spoke with Mayor of Clare Cllr Mary Howard, and also with Larry Brennan, father of the late Laura, who has seen items taken from her grave in Drumcliffe.
Statement from Clare County Council
“The Burial Grounds Unit received 7 complaints of interference to flowers/ornaments on graves in Drumcliffe cemetery over the past 6 months which has been brought to the attention of the Crime Prevention Officer in An Garda Siochána. The installation of CCTV, in a burial ground such as Drumcliffe, for public order or public security measures, presents a range of complexities under Data Protection legislation. These functions can only be carried out by law enforcement agencies so Clare County Council would have no lawful basis for providing CCTV at this location as a deterrent to anti-social behaviour. In fact, GDPR advocates that CCTV surveillance is only considered proportionate where all other preventative and/or security measures which do not require image acquisition have been tried and tested and are clearly insufficient to achieve this aim. The Burial Grounds unit is taking the matter seriously and both the Caretaker and Burial Grounds staff are continuing to monitor the situation in Drumcliffe and maintain an active presence in the burial ground. The public are encouraged to bring any complaints of vandalism/anti-social behaviour to the attention of An Garda Siochána who are the appropriate law enforcement authority.”
