With repeated appeals to the public not to use the grounds of Killarney’s St Mary’s Cathedral for parking while they go to work, to the shops or for long walks being largely ignored, the parish has now had to implement a new electronic gates system to help to combat the difficulties being encountered.
The situation had become so problematic in recent years, particularly during the summer months, that parishioners attending the funerals of loved ones or those attending weddings or baptisms could find nowhere to park close by. On one occasion, an ambulance couldn’t gain access to the grounds to tend to a woman who fell ill in the church.
Going forward, parking in the cathedral grounds and on the Bishop’s Path will be restricted to parishioners attending Mass, funerals or other services or those calling to the parish office.
The parish has confirmed that it is now operating an electric gates system with an intercom facility to allow entry and exit top and from the grounds.
The gates will be open for all church services and there will be a direct intercom link with the parish office if assistance is required.
Priests in the parish had issued repeated appeals in recent years for people not to park their vehicles on the grounds for hours on end as it was causing great inconvenience for many attending services in the cathedral.
Vehicles have been taking up almost every possible parking spot – including disabled parking bays for people with mobility issues – for prolonged periods of time on weekdays, some for a few hours, others for the whole day.
A very limited number of parking spaces outside the sacristy door are reserved only for those who need to use the wheelchair ramp but that too is being blatantly ignored by irresponsible drivers.
Local clergy have previously spoken about how families have been unable to get parking for funerals, weddings or other services because the grounds are blocked by other motorists – despite the availability of a free car park immediately adjacent to the church.
A number of local councillors also voiced concern about a number of vehicles being parked right at the gated entrance to the cathedral grounds, for the full working day, from Monday to Friday.
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