A local Sinn Fein TD is calling for the travelling community to engage with Gardaí and local authorities following a number of large funerals around Carrick-on-shannon in the last number of weeks.
Deputy Martin Kenny highlighted a funeral that took place in the Leitrim town over the weekend, where crowds reportedly gathered in the graveyard.
According to the Sinn Fein TD, Gardaí deployed a community liaison officer to talk with the family and members of the local community in the lead up to the funeral service.
Speaking to the Joe Finnegan Show, Deputy Kenny says those attending the graveyard took precautions and there has to be understanding for people who've lost a loved one.
He says the travelling community need to protect themselves from the virus:
Sligo-Leitrim Garda Chief Superintendent Aidan Glacken has addressed the controversy about Traveller funerals in Carrick-on-Shannon at today's JPC meeting.
He claimed that some commentary around the events of earlier this month was "uniformed, ill-judged as well as unhelpful" and said that a number of people were " seemingly reckless" about their actions between March 10th and March 14th.
He claimed that garda engaged in discussions with several groups around the funeral but some were not kept and there was "scant" regard at times for public health.
He also revealed that the policing plan utilised 950 garda hours, and resulted in five permanent garda checkpoints as well as 177 fixed penalty chares notices being issued as well as fines worth a total of €19400 being imposed and several cars being seized as well as thee arrests
He also reflected on a funeral which occurred last weekend which he said was managed in the same way but resulted in more respect and regard for Covid guidance.
