Council 'looking at alternative' if Coosan cemetery isn't extended

Westmeath County Council has said it is looking to further extend Coosan Cemetery in Athlone, but is also drawing up an alternative plan if the extension doesn't come to pass.

Some €275,000 towards a Coosan cemetery extension is being set aside over the next three years in the council's 2024-2026 capital programme.

During the local authority's recent budget meeting, Cllr Paul Hogan asked where the extension process was at currently, adding that he was aware the cemetery was nearing capacity.

In response, council director of services Barry Kehoe said: "We are engaged in an effort to extend Coosan cemetery, and we're engaged with landowners in that regard.

"We're also looking at an alternative if that doesn't materialise."

No details were given at the meeting about what the alternative option under consideration by the council might be.

During the discussion, Cllr Aengus O'Rourke said work needed to be carried out at both the Coosan and Cornamagh cemeteries in Athlone in order to make them fully accessible for people with mobility issues.

"We do need to spend some money on these graveyards in order to bring them up to modern standards," said Cllr O'Rourke, who added that he was aware of headstone having been damaged in Coosan by cars that were turning in the cemetery.

Cllr Tom Farrell also said that there was a need for the council to consider purchasing land in new areas of the county for cemetery provision over the coming years.