Gardai in Letterkenny have refuted claims that parking tickets were issued to cars at last Sunday's blessing of the graves ceremony at Conwal Graveyard following allegations made earlier this week.

Speaking to the Donegal News Inspector Pat O'Donnell stressed: "This is a case of media misinformation. Gardai were there on traffic management duties to ensure the safe passage of people."

The issue of traffic management at Conwal's blessing of the graves is notorious, and is an issue raised every year.

Inspector O'Donnell added: "There were cars double parked. It's a dangerous stretch of road and if an accident occurred and Gardai were not there we would be in the media for a different reason."

A number of people attending the blessing of the graves, however, have expressed their "disgust" at the way in which gardai dealt with the situation.

One onlooker commented: "It was about five minutes after the service had started I heard raised voices outside the graveyard. When I looked around I saw a blue jeep and a guard telling them to move the vehicle. I appreciate that the vehicle may have been double-parked but the guard was making no effort to keep his voice down. It just showed a total lack of respect for the service which was taking place in the graveyard. Everyone's attention was diverted and it defeats the purpose of having time for reflection for remembering those who have passed away."

It is understood that while no parking tickets were given, "warning" notices were issued to a number of vehicles illegally parked outside the cemetery.