Illegal dumping at local graveyard condemned

Illegal dumping at local graveyard condemned

10 August 2016

FRESH illegal dumping has taken place at an historic Ballynahinch graveyard.

Building materials have been dumped at the old Magheradroll graveyard on the Crabtree Road just weeks after the problem was first highlighted by a local councillor.

The cemetery, which is now derelict, was once home to Church of Ireland and Catholic communities in the 18th century. Protestant and Catholics worshipped at the former Magheradroll church before the congregations moved to new churches built for them in the town centre.

Two weeks ago councillor Patrick Clarke criticised illegal dumping at the graveyard and called for Newry, Mourne and Down Council and the Environment Agency to step in to clean up and preserve the site.

When councillor Clarke returned this week to see if any progress had been made he discovered new illegal duping in the land way near the entrance.

“The various materials illegally dumped looks a health and safety hazzard due to broken tiles and other sharp objects and needs to be dealt with and removed by council as a matter of urgency,” he said.

He has again urged the council to put up no dumping signs and to fill in potholes in the lane and repair perimeter fencing.