Items stolen from graves in 'shameful' thefts at Laois cemetery

CCTV may have to be installed following a number of thefts from graves at a cemetery in Stradbally, a local councillor has said. 

Fianna Fail Cllr Paschal McEvoy described the recent thefts from Oakvale Cemetery in Stradbally as “horrendous” and shameful. He said small statues and candles were among the stolen items. 

“There was several graves, bits and pieces taken off them. There was six or seven graves,” he estimated. 

“It is a horrendous crime. It is the worst of the worst,” said Cllr McEvoy. 

Cllr McEvoy said the thefts came to light earlier this week when one person put a post online in relation to a family member’s grave. He said other people then went and checked the cemetery and discovered items missing.

“The graveyard committee are aware of it and they are looking at different ideas,” he said. They want to find a solution that will mean they can leave the cemetery unlocked at all times. 

“We will try and come up with some kind of a plan, I suppose. CCTV has been talked about,” said Cllr McEvoy. 

Chairman of the Cemetery Committee Dominic Hartnett said he was aware of the commentary around CCTV but said the committee’s role relates to the upkeep of the cemetery. 

“We would of course be delighted if we could find a simple solution,” said Mr Hartnett. However, he questioned what can be done if there are people who are willing to steal from graves. 

“The reality is that these people have no respect for people that are being left to rest in peace,” he said.  

Gardaí say they have not yet received any official reports of thefts from the cemetery.