A report on the condition of trees in Lismore graveyard raised the hackles of local councillors at a meeting this week.
A number of trees in Lismore graveyard have been the cause of concern for many locals who say they are afraid to go in to pay their respects as they are afraid a limb or tree will fall on them.
Senior Executive for the environment at Waterford City and County Council, Ray Moloney, said that he spoke to an arboreal consultant on the issue back in October, the area was assessed and reports were returned to him on Monday morning last.
According to the reports, it was recommended that six trees in the graveyard be removed and a management programme put in place for the rest of the trees.
“We’ll be coming back to you in due course with our proposals,” Mr Moloney told the councillors, but Cllr Declan Doocey said he was not satisfied with the reply , stressing 'it’s more serious now than a report'.
"I’d take them down first and fill in the reports after. People are afraid to go in there. When the wind is blowing you can hear them creaking,” he said.
“Some day there’s going to be a branch or a bough come down on someone and the worst case scenario is that there could be someone hurt or even killed and they’ll have to go back into the graveyard the day after and be put in a grave,” said Cllr Doocey, highlighted the height of his concern.
Cllr Tobin and Cllr Pratt agreed with the points made by Cllr Doocey and all said they hoped it would be sorted sooner rather than later.
