UPSET members of the Franciscan Order in Killarney have told how people are defecating and urinating on the graves of deceased friars and using the manicured grounds of the church as a toilet.
The shocking story emerged at yesterday’s meeting of the Killarney Municipal Authority at which the repercussions of the decision to demolish public toilets adjacent to the courthouse were highlighted.
A spokesman for the Franciscan community said major problems have arisen since the toilets – located directly opposite the church – were removed.
Members of the public are now using the church grounds as a public toilet while a small cemetery within the grounds, where members of the community have been laid to rest, was being disrespected in an appalling manner.
Local business owners also told how their toilets are also being inundated since the public loos closed with buses dropping people off outside their doors to use the facilities.
The nearby Royal Hotel is turning away an average of 25 people a day and staff are being intimidated.
The problem reaches crisis point on days that the court is sitting as people attending have no facilities to use.
Senior council officials insist that four public toilets in the town is adequate and they stressed that the Fair Hill toilets were removed because they were beyond repair and presented health and safety concerns.
Councillors, who are to ask the Courts Service to intervene, were informed that a new public toilet at the site could cost close on €300,000.
Some councillors have asked officials to consider providing new facilities in Fair Hill car park or in public buildings such as the cultural centre or Aras Padraig
