Remains exposed in graveyard collapse

Human remains are falling into the garden of a house in Monknewtown, Slane.

The horrific sight of human bones, including part of a skull, exposed to the elements and precariously poised to fall into an adjoining garden, has led to urgent calls for Meath County Council to act.

Part of as wall at Monknewtown Graveyard, near Slane has fallen into the garden of neighbour Frank Taaffe and several bones have been exposed, including a skull.

Fears that any further rain or windy weather could cause further falls have been expressed by Mr Taaffe, amid calls on Meath County Council to rebuild the restraining wall which separated the cemetery from Mr Taaffe's property.

Mr Taaffe says the problems began 20 years ago when the ground in the cemetery became saturated with heavy rainwater and pushed the wall out.

'It has got worse since then and over the past 20 years part of the wall has fallen, exposing bones.'

'It is only a matter of time before the graves start moving.'

Mr Taaffe said apart from the horror of exposing remains, it is extremely dangerous and he has to stop his grandchildren from playing in the garden.

'The wall could collapse on top of you, before you could move,' he said.

Cllr Paddy Meade has called on Meath County Council to carry out work to rebuild the wall.

'It is very distressing for a lot of people. That cemetery is still used to this day,' he said.

'If something isn't done now, the rest of the wall will gradually crumble and will fall. It would only take two men a couple of days to put this right,' he said.