Call for CCTV in cemetery to combat thefts from graves

By JACQUELINE HOGGE A SPATE of incidents in Tuam cemetery in recent weeks has led to the town's deputy mayor calling for Galway County Council to consider installing CCTV cameras in the area. In the most recent case, a car was damaged and a handbag stolen while a couple visited a family grave last weekend. Cllr Imelda Kelly said the increase in attacks, which has also included the theft of items from some graves, needed to be tackled.[private] Items including fresh flowers and plaques have been taken from graves, which has exacerbated the grief of the families concerned. 'It's a desperate state of affairs when we have to remind people to be vigilant when visiting the graveyard but in light of these recent incidents, there's little else we can do,' she said. 'CCTV cameras may be an option that Galway County Council should consider in a bid to improve security up there, but there are obvious sensitivities surrounding this.' Cllr Kelly said it was a shame the area was being targeted by vandals given the recent improvements to the cemetery through a government employment scheme. The Tús programme was introduced last November to maintain the grass and pathways in the cemetery. Funded by Galway Rural Development, it is part of an overall scheme to provide short-term work opportunities for people who are unemployed while at the same time carrying out beneficial work within the community. 'It's such a shame that this is happening after all the great work that has been done in the cemetery in recent months to maintain the grounds,' added Cllr Kelly. Transformed 'The workers concerned really have transformed the place but as far as I know they also work on other graveyards in the area, so they don't have a permanent presence in the cemetery. 'Nor is it their job to police the area from such blatant vandalism, which is particularly sinister when it's happening in a graveyard.' Cllr Kelly's Town Council colleague Owen Ward rejected the notion of installing CCTV cameras but agreed something had to be done to stop what he described as 'mindless blackguarding'. 'The people responsible for this aren't regular visitors to the cemetery and often only use the area as a shortcut from the railway line up towards the Athenry Road and Tubberjarlath Road area,' he said. 'I've been a victim myself, in that a plaque I laid on my brother's grave was stolen less than an hour after I placed it there, so I know how upsetting and frustrating it is for families. 'I would suggest that Galway County Council erect signs in the area warning those found thieving or removing items from graves can be prosecuted, but I think the introduction of CCTV cameras would mark a very sad day for the town. 'People who visit the cemetery on a regular basis do need to be more vigilant and report suspicious activity. 'Everyone has commented on how well the cemetery is looking since the Tús scheme started so it's time for those who have no reason to be up there to leave the graveyard to the families of those who want to visit and pay their respects to their loved ones.'[/private]