A memorial wall in Glasnevin cemetery is being 'discontinued' due to repeated acts of vandalism.
The structure was to remember all those who died in Irish conflicts between 1916 and 1923.
Controversy surrounded it due the inclusion of British soldiers and RIC members.
The board of Dublin Cemeteries Trust says it decided to discontinue the existing structure due to the severe nature of the damage caused during the most recent attack.
The trust says it's no longer feasible to cover the costs of continually repairing the wall, but its commitment to remembrance and reflection of this period will continue.
Vandalism
The board of Dublin Cemeteries Trust released to following statement: "The board of Dublin Cemeteries Trust, following several acts of vandalism to the Necrology Wall within the grounds of Glasnevin cemetery which caused significant damage, has taken the decision, with great regret, to discontinue the Necrology Wall element of its 1916-1923 remembrance activity. The unfortunate decision to not proceed with further inscriptions and to discontinue the existing structure is due to the severe nature of the damage caused during the most recent attack.
"The damaged Necrology Wall will be replaced by plain black granite panels on a date yet to be finalised. The original wall on which the Necrology Wall is inscribed has been in place since the inception of the Glasnevin Cemetery Visitor Centre in April 2010.
"It is the firm view of Dublin Cemeteries Trust that if the wall were to be repaired for a third time it would be vandalised again. Dublin Cemeteries Trust is not in a position to cover the costs of continually repairing the wall or in the position to provide the security that would be necessary to ensure its protection, nor to guarantee the safety of staff and visitors in the case of further attacks. For these reasons, to repair and continue with the Necrology Wall project is no longer feasible."
Review
"Dublin Cemeteries Trust undertook an extensive review process to examine a range of options to repair and keep the wall in its current format. These included, but were not limited to, extra security, alternative viewing spaces, and enclosing the wall in a protective layer. However, no option could provide a viable, long-term solution, given the inevitability of further attacks.
"Dublin Cemeteries Trust will, however, continue the process of researching the names and stories of those who died because of the conflict during this period in Irish history."
Councillor Nial Ring is welcoming the announcement, saying: "When visiting my father’s and grandfather’s grave (my grandfather and his four brothers all took part in the Easter Rising in 1916 as part of the GPO Garrison) in the cemetery I had to walk past this wall and it always saddened me to see the names of the volunteers and citizens who died during the conflict hand in hand with those whose role was to suppress our fight for freedom and continue the oppression of our people."
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