The Drogheda Civic Trust has announced that their restoration project at the Cord Cemetery which had been suspended due to Covid-19 is up and running again.
The restart for the programme was further delayed because the graveyard had to be cleansed of a considerable quantity of drug paraphernalia before workers could be allowed back onto the site.
Civic Trust Chairman Denis Cummins said that the Cord Cemetery maintenance has been a signature project for Drogheda Civic Trust for over six years.
“This project would only have been possible with the invaluable work provided by the Probation Services under the guidance of Jamie Nolan, and we are also very grateful to TUS for their previous involvement.
“The benefits to the community of Drogheda are clear to see and we look forward to continuing our partnership with Louth probation services.”
Welcoming the return to work, Michael O’Dowd, a director of the project, said: “This historic space, which is the final resting place for many local residents, deserves to be respected and preserved for future generations.”
Senior probation officer Sheena Quigley said: “Managing Community Service is a core part of the work we do in the Probation Service and it’s a key way in which people who have offended or caused harm can do something restorative which benefits communities.
“This is essentially what we are doing through our partnership with Drogheda Civic Trust and the local authority to restore the grounds at Cord Cemetery for everyone.
“We would like to acknowledge the contribution of Louth County Council who assisted with the initial site clearance”.
“The Probation Service is also committed to responsibilities and delivery of actions under the Drogheda Implementation Plan and this community service project is addressing an area affected with drug related litter, contributing to overall community safety and wellbeing in Drogheda.”
The Probation Service is working to reduce offending, create safer communities and fewer victims through offender rehabilitation. Rehabilitating offenders to achieve and maintain positive change is at the core of the work carried out by the staff at The Probation Service.
For more about the Probation Service see: https://www.probation.ie/
