There was raucous debate in County Hall earlier this week as councillors adopted new by-laws for the 14 cemeteries operated by the local authority across the city and Kilkenny. The implicated cemeteries were previously governed by guidelines, non-binding principles that aimed to provide direction or advice on best practices. The new by-laws, which borrowed heavily from the existing previous guidelines, are legally binding. READ MORE: Kilkenny hurler playing his part in helping community fight against crime Offences against these by-laws may result in fixed payment notices or court prosecution with fines up to 鈧2,500 鈥 and the council reserves the right to remove non-compliant structures or items and to enforce maintenance standards. Whilst the new by-laws were welcomed by elected members, their adoption led to discussion around a number of local anti-social behaviour concerns in cemeteries. Cllr Eugene McGuinness, who proposed the by-laws, stated that he was 鈥榮ad鈥 that the local authority were changing from regulations to by-laws but noted that the necessity of doing so as 鈥榓ctivity in some of these graveyards is way beyond what should be tolerated鈥. READ NEXT: We’re all still in shock: Kilkenny family left heartbroken after fatal attack He also expressed disappointment that the by-laws 鈥榓re not retrospective鈥 before stating that St Kieran鈥檚 Cemetery in Kilkenny City has become 鈥榗ocaine/heroin express鈥. He also raised an issue brought to his attention of trinkets placed on a grave by grieving parents being removed the day after being placed there. SEE ALSO: Kilkenny motorists to face diversions as road closure extended 鈥淭his has to be stomped out,鈥 he said. 鈥淲alk up there on Wednesday and count the people going up and down getting their fix.鈥 Director of Services, Tim Butler, stated that anti-social behaviour is a matter for garda铆 and added that they have increased patrols in the area. Cllr Joe Malone described St Kieran鈥檚 Cemetery as 鈥榓 rat run鈥, and said 鈥榳e need to take these people on鈥. 鈥淚 know people who won鈥檛 go [to the cemetery] and that鈥檚 sad,鈥 he said. READ MORE: Meet the Kilkenny man who has captured the attention of millions around the world 鈥淭he drugs epidemic is out of hand. It鈥檚 not cool to do drugs, it鈥檚 destroying lives, it鈥檚 in the schoolyards, everywhere. 鈥淲e should have the guts and the balls to say that. We鈥檙e talking about our children, our children鈥檚 children. We need to see action to combat the horror of drugs.鈥 Cllr David Fitzgerald seconded the proposal to adopt the by-laws and asked that cemetery workers 鈥榖e supported鈥. Cllr Fitzgerald expressed concern that 鈥榯hey could be personally targeted鈥. SEE ALSO: High-profile global business opens its doors in Kilkenny City Mayor of Kilkenny, Cllr Andrew McGuinness reiterated calls for CCTV in the cemetery and asked for an update on the matter. He was informed that a Data Protection Impact Assessment would have to be carried out for the area and that the cameras that had been operating (since damaged) could not yet be reinstated. Cllr McGuinness expressed his frustration at the delays in the CCTV rollout across Kilkenny given the substantial amount of money ringfenced by the local authority for it in recent years. READ NEXT: We don’t really mind who we’re playing: Kilkenny star has eyes firmly on final He also stated that some people who are concerned about ongoing anti-social behaviour 鈥榙on鈥檛 want to put their name to a complaint鈥. Cllr Se谩n 脫 hArg谩in stated that 鈥榚veryone here has legitimate concerns鈥 before calling for a 鈥榝uller discussion on the issue raised around drugs鈥. In relation to matters related to the by-laws, Cllr Maria Dollard called for a campaign to raise awareness around the new columbarium wall, citing 鈥榟uge interest鈥 in it. Cllr Fidelis Doherty noted the importance of reviewing the by-laws should matters arise, whilst Cllr Tom谩s Breathnach raised the importance of the upkeep of the county鈥檚 other graveyards (including those not under council ownership). Cllr Se谩n 脫 hArg谩in agreed with his party colleague, and stated that in parts of Kerry many of the graveyards have display panels where you can see where different families are buried. He enquired as to the possible merits of having similar panels in graveyards across Kilkenny. FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS, CLICK HERE