Council responds to illegal dumping issue at Carnmoney Cemetery

The issue of fly-tipping at the Prince Charles Way graveyard was highlighted last month, after people who have loved ones buried in the cemetery contacted the Times to voice their disgust.

The skips located in Carnmoney Cemetery East, which are used for the upkeep and maintenance of the site, had been filled with household and general waste. Rubbish had also been dumped beside the skips in a car park and had become an eyesore for those going to visit loved ones’ graves.

The problem of fly-tipping at the cemetery was highlighted just days after the council vowed to step up security at local cemeteries in response to a spate of thefts from parked vehicles over recent months.

Welcoming the news, one woman who wished to remain anonymous said: “I am pleased to see the council have now put the fencing up around the bins. Hopefully this stops people from dumping rubbish at the cemetery.”

A spokesperson for the council said: “Council recently received reports of illegal dumping of household waste at Carnmoney Cemetery. In response to the issue and to improve the aesthetics of the area, fencing was erected around the skip enclosure approximately three weeks ago, at a cost of £800. Council continues to encourage members of the public to use the widely available household recycling centres to dispose of waste. Details of these sites are available on our website - www.antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/recycling.”

Commenting on the erection of the fencing, Cllr Stephen Ross said: “I would welcome anything that stops those individuals who have been dumping their rubbish in the cemetery. These people have no respect for those who are buried there or visiting our cemeteries.

“This is another £800 which could have been spent on other more pressing issues than having to secure bins because of thoughtless people.”