Local councillor John Murphy this week described as “insulting in the extreme” the description of Kilcrumper Old Cemetery as “some dingy graveyard in Fermoy.” It was how historian and Sunday Independent opinion writer John Paul McCarthy branded the cemetery in an article about the Seanad, published in the paper at the weekend.

The historian’s derogatory passing reference to the graveyard was made in outlining how he thought Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin was seriously amiss in describing the upcoming referendum on the aboliton of the Seanad as “a defining moment for the political future of our country”, during his recent address at the Liam Lynch Commemoration in the graveyard.

UPSETTING

“Kilcrumper Old Cemetery is in very good condition, thanks to the efforts of Cork County Council who do an excellent job in maintaining it,” the incensed local councillor told The Avondhu. Their efforts are matched by locals who have loved ones buried there, who tend the graves lovingly and with care, he said. He felt it was extremely unfair to call the cemetery ‘dingy’.

He wondered if the author of the piece had visited Kilcrumper old cemetery before describing it in such disparaging terms or if he was using poetic licence to add colour. Either way, he angered Councillor Murphy and, the latter said, upset those who keep the cemetery in such good condition.