Plea to allow permanent memorials at ‘lost’ graves

A CRUMLIN woman has called a decision to have a cross and paraphernalia removed from the grave of her older brother who died as a baby, ‘inhumane’.

Patricia Fennell from Bramblewood is among a number of families who have been ordered to remove memorabilia at an unmarked plot in Milltown Cemetery so that it can be top soiled in time for Cemetery Sunday in June.

Patricia’s brother Martin was still-born at the Royal Victoria Hospital 49 years ago. He was taken away and buried in a plot at Milltown Cemetery.

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Patricia’s mother Eileen was already married at 19 and was so ill after Martin’s birth that even her grandmother was unable to visit her.

Martin was taken away th and placed in an unmarked grave but the family never knew exactly where he was buried.

Patricia said last year she decided to locate the grave for her mother and with the help of archaeologist Toni Maguire discovered exactly where he was laid to rest.

Once the grave was located Patricia’s husband made and placed a cross at the plot and Eileen (68) placed a blue teddy bear gift at Christmas - the first gift she was ever able to give him.

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Patricia said hers are just one of a number of families who are enraged at being told that all ornaments and crosses on the graves must be taken down to make way for work at the site.

“The bishop only blessed Martin’s grave last year for the first time and now they want to take that away,” she said. “It is totally inhumane.

“My mother is still grieving. She was only told where the grave was after 49 years and now this. If they want to level the ground then fine but can I put a small headstone up?

“If there are others with babies in that grave they can put their loved ones name on the head stone too. I just want my brother’s death and birth recorded. It’s not a lot to ask.

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“This whole process has been devastating. My mother is now 68 years of age and not in good health. She has MS and my father has health issues as well.

Soldiers who died 100 years ago in the war are given the respect of a grave why not babies? Are they not worthy of a marked grave.

Archaeologist Toni Maguire said that the issue has enraged many families who have been given a deadline to remove all ornaments from the spot.

“A lot of people are buried here and their families are not prepared to let go,” she said.

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“What we want are markers on the grave even just a line of text for those who are buried here. It’s all about inclusion.”

She said that some graves have hundreds of babies buried in the same spot.

“Through our investigations we know there is a grave with 429 babies buried there,” she said. “Relatives are not happy that they are not allowed even to put a marker up and everything has to be taken away. They feel that it is an example of betrayal.”

In a statement the administrator for Milltown Cemetery Fr Martin Graham said that work will be carried out to restore a small strip of land (approximately 6 acres) that the Diocese recently bought back from the Ulster Wildlife Trust on the border of the 55 acre cemetery.

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“Over the past 18 months I have consulted with all the concerned groups to address the need for this area of the cemetery to be suitably and sensitively laid out in order to give the infants and adults buried in this section a dignified place of rest and to bring some measure of closure, healing and peace to their relatives,” said Fr Graham.

“I am very aware, and understand, that people are concerned about the resting place of their loved ones and want to reassure all that the Bishop, Cemetery staff and our professional teams will do everything possible to undertake the work as thoroughly and quickly as possible. Any memorials that will have to be temporarily moved will be reinstated at each plot once the work has been completed.

“The drainage work is essential due to the fact that the cemetery is in a bog meadow and is therefore very wet, added to by the removal of trees at the request of some families.

“The land is not in good condition and some parts are dangerous to walk on, however following the planned works not only will the area be a more fitting place of rest, cars will no longer be able to park on the graves.”

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The statement went on: “There was some concern that burials extended beyond the cemetery records to include other areas at the bottom of the cemetery so the Diocese instructed RSK STATS Geoconsult Ltd (RSK) to undertake a survey of an additional 37 acres, supported by Northern Archaeological Consultancy Ltd (NAC). The results showed what RSK referred to as ‘anomalies’ and excavation work was carried out to ascertain what these anomalies were. So far however there has been no evidence of human burial found other than in known areas of burial.

Debra Clothier, Senior Geophysicist, RSK said: “This highly specialised work requires the latest technology and visualisation software to provide the most robust survey. Working with our partners NAC we can confirm that to date the anomalies have been as a result of rock, rubbish and metal.”

The contractors continued: “The contractors will begin by clearing the ditch at the boundary and to work on the drainage programme, all work will be overseen by NAC. Father Martin again emphasised his understanding of how difficult this is for the friends and families and asked if families could complete the removal of their memorials to a temporary group memorial plot close to the current location by Monday 16th April .

“The temporary memorials can be re-erected at individual plots in time for Cemetery Sunday on June 3. Once the ground has settled and the grass has been seeded the Diocese will erect permanent headstones at each of the plots.”

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