By Donal McMahon

Copyright belfastlive

A Northern Ireland council has had a sudden change of heart to replace a graveyard memorial it removed following “distress” caused to a grieving family. Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council (LCCC) has recently come under heavy criticism from locals over its “heart-breaking” enforcement policy at its cemeteries. The local authority has now said it will take into account any damage potential caused to memorial benches in its graveyards. The Lagan Valley Island chamber had been told by an environment director (September 3) that a solution to find new burial plots could bring memorial benches “into the conversation”. READ MORE: Delays to demolition of tower blocks “beggars belief”. READ MORE: Lisburn play park overgrown bushes cut away amid child safety concerns of hidden photo takers. The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) spoke to a local family after their late father, Alexander ‘Alex’ McIlroy’s bench “disappeared” from Blaris cemetery in Lisburn , with a dramatic u-turn this week. Alex’s daughter, Sinéad Mulholland said:”I’ve since heard back from the council, and they’ve proposed to replace my Daddy’s bench and plaque in the same area. It’s a good outcome for us and Mum seems to be happy with it.” Mr McIlroy (62) tragically passed away 18 years ago on September 11, with the family only discovering the bench had permanently been removed as they prepared to remember their loved one on his anniversary. The family claims that LCCC made no contact with them on removing their Dad’s bench, which was a memorial only made possible by donations from family and friends. Sinéad added: “At no point were we notified of any change, or of our bench’s removal. “Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council has upheld our complaint regarding the removal of our father’s memorial bench and apologised for the distress caused. “They have offered to provide a new steel bench and plaque at their expense, which we have accepted. “While we disagree with the council’s assessment that the original bench was in disrepair, we are choosing to respectfully move forward. “The council admitted a failure in procedure regarding the plaque, which was not retained as it should have been. “Our family remains saddened by how this was handled, but is grateful for the resolution and recognition of our concerns.” The emotive cemetery policy brought local concern after council CEO David Burns warned in chambers (Aug 26) that memorial benches not maintained will be “removed”. However, Lisburn families including the late Robert ‘Robbie’ Fleming’s, told the LDRS that they maintain their benches and claimed that any damage to benches may have accidentally been caused by the council itself.. Liverpool fan Robert ‘Robbie’ Fleming’s death in 2018 sparked an outpouring of support for his family with football legend Steven Gerrard getting in touch to console his distraught son Jack. Mum Alison recently spoke to the LDRS saying: “To think that my son’s bench could be taken away from us would just be heart-breaking, to take it from his son, would be like ripping his heart out.” “I know other families will not be happy about this warning.” She added: “My husband Vernon is forever cleaning and brushing. We’ve had to replace flowers that have been smashed up.” The LDRS asked the council for a second time if it had contacted the McIlroy family on the bench removal and if any internal investigation would be carried out on the causes of damage to memorial benches. A spokesperson said: “We cannot confirm when families were advised of the removal of any memorial benches as records are limited in line with our retention and disposal policy. “Where it is necessary to engage with a family regarding any matter relating to a memorial bench in the cemetery, we will always endeavour to do this, where they are known to us. “Any damage potentially caused by us would be assessed and an outcome reached.” The spokesperson added: “The council has rules and regulations for its cemeteries and these were last updated and approved in September 2024. There are currently 136 memorial benches in Blaris cemetery . “A decision was taken in 2015 to stop maintaining memorial benches and this responsibility rests with the family. “In line with these regulations we have, on occasion, had to remove memorial benches in a state of disrepair and unsafe to sit on. “We retain any memorial plaque, where they are present, from a removed bench in our cemeteries’ office for collection by a loved one, but have no record of the number of benches removed.” For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.