Proposed new burial ground in Trim would have initial capacity of 2,400 single plots
Pressure has been mounting to find site suitable for a new cemetery
Meath County Council has confirmed that it has purchased a site for a new cemetery in Trim. The 13-acres site at Loganstown, Trim, is close to the Navan Road on the outskirts of the town.
Issues with capacity at St Loman's Cemetery meant pressure had been mounting in recent years to find a suitable site that could be developed as a new cemetery, with responsibility for providing cemeteries now lying with local authorities, in this case Meath County Council.
The new cemetery will be owned and operated by the council, similar to St Finian's Cemetery in Navan, St Declan's Cemetery in Ashbourne and the more recently opened Derrockstown Burial Garden in Dunshaughlin.
News that the site for the new cemetery has been purchased will come as some relief for the area and it is anticipated that there will be sufficient plots available in the existing cemetery until the new burial ground is operational.
A spokesperson for Meath County Council has confirmed that the identified site has been purchased and that a planning application will be lodged in the coming months. The cemetery will have initially have 2,400 single plots.
"Meath County Council has recently purchased a 13 acre site at Loganstown, Trim, for the purposes of constructing a burial ground to meet the capacity issues at St Loman’s Cemetery in Trim. The site in question is close to the Navan Road on the outskirts of Trim," the council said in a statement.
"Planning documents are currently being prepared with a view of lodging an application over the coming months, which will involve the construction of a burial ground with an initial capacity of 2,400 single plots and the provisions of a burial garden, columbarium wall for the interment of urns, and a caretaking building which will also contain public toilets.
"It is also intended to construct a footpath from the new burial ground towards Trim town. The planning application, when lodged, will be available for public inspection and submissions."
Meanwhile, Trim Parish Priest Fr Paul Crosbie said they anticipate there will be sufficient space in St Loman's until the new cemetery is opened and that the parish is making every effort to maximise space in St Loman's.
"Trim Parish is in regular contact with senior officials in the Council in relation to the new cemetery. We anticipate that there should be sufficient space in St Loman's until the new cemetery is opened," he said.
"The parish is making every effort to maximise existing space in St Loman's and we really appreciate the support and patience of parishioners in this regard. Parishioners are very attentive to their graves. The cemetery is a sacred place; it's also a sensitive matter."
Fr Crosbie also outlined that the parish is making provision for a new space where burials can be available after cremations, and that almost 20 per cent of funerals are followed by cremations.