THE Derry woman behind a protest demanding that the city’s cemetery be re-opened has said she is “ecstatic” at news that she will be able to visit her husband’s grave once more.
Etta Darcy’s husband Hugh died suddenly last August. Since then she has been visiting his grave daily, on occasions twice a day, as she attempted to come to terms with her loss.
However she was left distressed when cemeteries were shut as part of the coronavirus lockdown.
Last night she told of her relief that the ban had been lifted by the Stormont executive.
“After four weeks, I feel going to visit Hugh is like going on a date again. I know that seems like a strange thing to say but that’s the way I feel. When I said that to my girls (daughters), they cried.”
Mrs Darcy said she hoped the opening would not be unduly delayed by Derry City Council.
“I’m out buying flowers to go up to the grave. I can’t wait. I know people might not understand but that is the way I am. I asked the Holy Spirit to help get it opened and now it’s going to be.
“I’m ecstatic. When the gates of the cemetery open, I’ll be the first in the line to go in to see my Hughie’s grave again,” Mrs Darcy said.
A number of people joined Mrs Darcy at the gates of Derry City Cemetery on Monday when she organised a protest calling for the graveyard to be re-opened. Protesters, observing social distancing, stood beside their cars for approximately twenty minutes before moving on.
The Derry woman said she had been liaising with Health Minister Robin Swann after contacting him to ask that the cemeteries be re-opened.
“I need to thank Robin Swann and Dr Michael McBride for the compassion they have shown people who need to visit their loved-ones’ graves,” she said.
