Temporary morgue facilities put in place in Navan as surge in cases expected

ANN CASEY
The grim reality of the battle against Covid-19 came into sharp focus this week as it emerged that temporary morgue facilities are in place, if needed, in Navan.
As the HSE plans for a surge in Covid-19 cases in mid April, it emerged that the Glyn Tallon embalming facility in Academy Street will serve as a temporary morgue in the case of a sharp rise in deaths.
“We have always been equipped to deal with mass disasters. Hopefully it won't come to that, but we will be able to provide the facilities if the need arises,” Mr Tallon said.
Additional refrigerated storage facilities arrived in the past week and the premises also has significant in-house storage.

Mr Tallon has accreditation in dealing with mass fatalities and Global Disaster Victim Identification.
With 76 reported deaths on the island of Ireland from the virus up to yesterday (Monday), the HSE is preparing for a surge of Covid-19 cases in mid-April, but said it was impossible to predict exactly when the outbreak would peak in Ireland.

There are now 2,910 recorded cases in the Republic, including 47 cases in Meath and there are currently 103 in intensive care nationwide (figs taken Monday 30th March).

Local undertakers are preparing for more funerals amid speculation that funeral Masses will come to a stop later this week and that bodies will be taken directly from the place of death for burial.
At the moment only 20 people are allowed attend a funeral, something that would have been unthinkable a few weeks ago.

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Peadar Farrelly, a Navan undertaker predicted that Masses will be stopped shortly and funerals will go directly to the graveyards.
He said that bereaved families have been co-operative and understanding in the last few weeks although it has been incredibly sad to see funerals with just 20 people attending.

Navan undertaker, Padraig Fitzsimons said the current situation has been very difficult for families.
“It is so hard for families. Normally we would sit down down with them for an hour or more to go through what they want but it is a much shorter talk by telephone now.
“There is no hand shaking or hugging, no flowers, music. I really feel for the families – it doesn't feel like it is true reflection of their loved ones life.
“There are no guards of honour, no people queuing to sympathise. People are expressing sympathy now on RIP and on Facebook.

 

#“You sometimes get a few more people in the graveyard because it is out in the open air.”
He said that families are very understanding of the current situation and most are planning a Mass or memorial later in the year.
“Irish people are are fantastic at funerals. It is something we do very well and the people who are bereaved now cannot get that support.”

Kells Funeral Director, Brian Curran said that while it has been heartbreaking for bereaved families to have such small funerals in the last few weeks, they have been very understanding and accepting of the situation.
“They understand it is an emergency. Wakes are private, there can only be 20 people in the church and extended family members have often to stay at home.”