Posted online: Aug 30th, 2010

Dozens of people have attended a public meeting to oppose plans to remove dozens of remains from a County Derry graveyard.
Over 100 Parishioners at Saint Columba’s church at Straw, near Draperstown, packed into the Rural College last Tuesday to hear a number of speakers voice their opposition to the controversial plan.
The meeting was called after it emerged that parish bosses plan to exhume a number of remains to make way for a new footpath as part of a blueprint to build a new primary school nearby.
Although no-one knows how many remains may have to be moved, a recent survey found there were 120 coffin spaces in the affected area.
A 12-person committee was established during the public meeting and it will co-ordinate the campaign to oppose the graveyard plan.
A number of people present at the meeting were keen to stress there was no opposition to the proposed Saint Columb’s Primary School at Corrick Road.
It was also decided that letters should be written to local parish priest, Colum Clerkin, the board of governors at Saint Columb’s Primary School and the Department of Education.
Those present also discussed the possibility of setting up a meeting with the Bishop of Derry, Dr Seamus Hegarty.
Dr Hegarty gave the plan his blessing last year but locals are hopeful they can force him to review the vexed issue.
Draperstown man Pat Kelly said the meeting was just the first step in a process.
He said: “This is a step on the journey and where it takes us I don’t know. No-one is opposed to the building of a school and no-one wants to be a hindrance to the education of any child or the building of any schools. But we will be a hindrance to the removing of graves in this grave yard.”
During the meeting one Draperstown man dramatically revealed how he wants to be buried in the graveyard when he dies.
The man said: “I have an uncle buried there and I want to buried in it as well and over my dead body will I see this grave go away.”
So far Catholic Church authorities have refused to comment on the controversy and have ignored all media enquiries.
Meanwhile it emerged last night the cost of removing the remains from the graveyard is included in the cash already set aside for the construction of Saint Columba’s Primary School.
A spokeswoman said: “The cost of exhuming the graves is included within the £2m for the capital build. The Department is working with the Parish to determine the extent of work required and costs.”