Damaged historic crypt could fall out onto footpath in County Roscommon village

An historic crypt damaged during Storm Éowyn could fall out onto the main street in Ballintubber, it has been claimed.

At a meeting of the Roscommon Municipal District, Cllr Michael Holland welcomed the €25,000 being put aside for major graveyard repair for next year but questioned whether it was sufficient. He highlighted the situation in Ballintubber where a tree fell on an historic crypt, which is now hanging out onto the village’s main street. The independent councillor agreed that it was a major job.

“You have only strapping holding it together at the moment,” he said. He added that it was a safety issue.

Mr Tom McDermott of Roscommon County Council said the matter had been raised with the relevant heritage authorities. He stressed that it would cost tens of thousands of euro to resolve.

“We’d have to get reports completed and even find out who owns it,” he said.

Speaking to the Herald after the meeting, Cllr Holland said that the vault’s roof was cracked in two following the storm.

“And the gable of it is falling out into the road,” he said. He added that it is surrounded by pallets and held together with ratchet straps.

“But if something happens the ratchet, the whole gable end would fall out onto the road and footpath, where people could be walking,” he said. 

“I can appreciate that the council has to go through the various channels, and in all fairness, the council did remove the tree that fell. But in the meantime, it is a danger.” He estimated that the vault could date back to the 17th or 18th century.