A community in west Kerry says a plague of rabbits in the local graveyard is causing distress among relatives of those buried there.

The rabbits have caused extensive damage in Reilg Chaitlíona, Fionn Trá (Ventry), with many having made their homes in graves and tombs.

Kerry County Council, which is responsible for the maintenance of the graveyard, is actively seeking a solution to the problem, but has so far been unsuccessful.

Most of the damage in the graveyard, which overlooks Tráigh Fionn Trá (Ventry Strand), is occurring in the older section of the graveyard.

Extensive borrowing is visible with some burrows leading directly to graves and tombs, exposing coffins and bones in some instances.

Máire Uí Chíobháin, who has relatives buried in the graveyard says it's very distressing for parishioners.

"It's extremely upsetting when you see what the rabbits are doing. Especially for relatives. The rabbits are literally living in the graves and tombs. Nobody likes to see the remains of their loved ones and ancestors being tampered with like that."

"You really need to watch your step now for fear you'd break an ankle as there are holes everywhere. As well as that, people who are leaving fresh flowers or plants at the graves of their loved ones are coming back the following morning to find them all eaten down. The rabbits love the fresh vegetation. They're a nuisance really" added Mrs. Uí Chíobháin.

The chairman of the local graveyard committee said there were always a small number of rabbits to be seen in the graveyard but they have experienced an explosion in the rabbit population over the last two to three years.

"The graveyard is sitting on sand dunes and we've always had a few rabbits here. But things are completely out of control now. The rabbits are everywhere. They are taking over. We don't really know what to do about them." said Seán Ó Catháin.

In a statement Kerry County Council, which is responsible for the maintenance of the graveyard, said it has been attempting to tackle the rabbit problem for a number of months now.

"Kerry County Council received complaints about this matter earlier this year and Municipal District staff inspected the graveyard and filled holes dug by rabbits. This is an ongoing problem at this graveyard, primarily because the ground is predominantly sandy and is a natural environment for rabbits." said a spokesperson.

Kerry County Council says that staff will again attempt to repair the damage caused by the rabbits and that "a long-term solution is being considered."

Unlike the Irish hare, the rabbit is not a protected species but locals agree that finding a humane method of removing them will prove a major challenge.

"In the past, I suppose you had things like myxomatosis which kept the population down. But we don't want that, obviously. It's hard to see how it can be solved and how the rabbits can be kept out. We have a lovely graveyard here in Ventry, in a stunning setting, but it's such a shame to see the damage these rabbits are causing here." said Mr Ó Catháin.