Council Says No To Electric Gate For Westmeath Cemetery

Tuesday, 11 October 2022 at 15:52

The suggestion was made to widen access for visitors with mobility issues.

Westmeath County Council has said no to calls for an electric gate to be installed at a local graveyard.

The suggestion, to improve accessibility at Ballyglass Cemetery in Mullingar, was made by Councillor Emily Wallace at the latest meeting of Mullingar-Kinnegad Municipal District yesterday.

She proposed installing an electronic gate at the vehicular entrance "to extend opening hours".

In response, a spokesperson for the local authority said the matter has been reviewed and there is "no plan" for such a gate.

The Council did acknowledge the request and how it would be of particular benefit to visitors with mobility issues.

However, the opposition to the idea was based on the "potential negative unintended consequences" that may arise if vehicular access was introduced beyond the current opening times of 8am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.

They considered that "such concerns outweigh the potential benefit".

The Council re-affirmed that Ballyglass Cemetery is open 24/7 for pedestrians.