Councillors at Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council have raised concerns about the condition of the rear entrance gates at Seagoe Cemetery.

Councillor Kyle Moutray said the gates show significant deterioration, with rust and peeling paint. He stated that a visitor had informed him the gates had not been painted or restored in more than 18 years.

Moutray asked officers to provide an update on planned maintenance works for the gates and to address wider upkeep issues across cemeteries in the borough.

Councillor Julie Flaherty said complaints about Kernan Cemetery had been raised repeatedly. She welcomed some staff improvements but stated that recruitment processes and links between environmental services and parks needed to be addressed.

Jonathan Hayes, director of environmental services and sustainability, said recent recruitment had brought additional staff and that issues had been resolved to some extent. He said the condition of the Seagoe gates had been logged and was on a schedule, and he would follow up with the estates department.

Flaherty called for the work on the gates to be expedited.