Councillor calls for improvement work to be completed at Ballyoan Cemetery

A local councillor has called on improvement works at a Waterside cemetery to be completed. Independent Unionist Councillor Maurice Devenney wants to see work completed on a memorial garden for children in Ballyoan Cemetery. 'The Garden of Angels' is a special area of the cemetery for graves of stillborn babies. Cllr Devenney, who is an independent councillor on Derry City and Strabane District Council, said that work had started on improvements to the area but claimed that the council had stopped the improvements without explanation. "A piece of work was due to be carried out to refurbish the area but it has yet to be carried out by council. "It gives me no joy coming to the media but it's now time to go public to get the work carried out. "This issue needs to be resolved and I would call on council to get the work done and the improvements completed." Cllr Devenney stressed that he did not want to go to the media with the issue but felt that he had been left with no other choice. DUP Foyle MLA Gary Middleton said that he has been assured by council that the work will be carried out. Mr Middleton said: "Following contact from concerned families before Christmas, I made contact immediately with council officers. Concerns were raised that maintenance work was left unfinished and the site left untidy. "I've spoken with the Cemetery supervisor Sean Boyd. He has assured me that the work will be completed. They are to begin working on it again at the start of the new year (January). "He informed me that there are currently two staff employed in the Waterside and 7 in the cityside. "He says they want to get the work done but they have been so busy with funerals and other maintenance that they didn't get it finished. "He has assured me the work will begin early in the new year and I stressed the need for this to happen as soon as possible." Derry Now contacted Derry City and Strabane District Council for a response but they have so far failed to respond.