A huge 30-tonne black marble memorial dedicated to Michael Collins has been installed at Shiregreen Cemetery in Sheffield, with the council saying it did not receive formal approval.

A huge 30-tonne black marble memorial has appeared at a Sheffield cemetery without formal approval, sparking a fresh row over the Collins family’s giant tributes.

The towering monument was installed at Shiregreen Cemetery in memory of Michael Collins, who died aged 51 in December 2024.

A spokesperson for the authority said the council had been prepared to consider a proposed oversized memorial, subject to agreement on the final design and payment of the appropriate fee.
However, the memorial was erected before final approval could be granted — A spokesperson for the authority said the council had been prepared to consider a proposed oversized memorial, subject to agreement on the final design and payment of the appropriate fee. However, the memorial was erected before final approval could be granted | 3rd party

placeholder image — A spokesperson for the authority said the council had been prepared to consider a proposed oversized memorial, subject to agreement on the final design and payment of the appropriate fee. However, the memorial was erected before final approval could be granted | 3rd party

Michael, described by loved ones as a “legend” and “the true blue of Sheffield”, spent most of his life in the city and was part of the well-known Collins traveller family.

His enormous memorial now stands opposite a similarly imposing tribute to his brother Willy Collins, known as the “King of Sheffield”, who died in 2020 aged 49.

The new structure also includes a marble bench commemorating Michael and Willy alongside their late brothers Anthony and Terry, with the words “Sheffield Collins Brothers” etched into the stone.

A loved one said Michael was “a loving father, uncle, brother, husband, son and grandfather”, adding: “He was known as the true blue of Sheffield and one of a kind.”

The extent of Michael Collins’ palatial memorial structure, which was recently erected in a Sheffield cemetery. | 3rd party

But Sheffield City Council says the giant memorial was installed without the required formal approval.

Officials said early discussions had taken place with the memorial mason and the council had been prepared to consider the plans.

However, it says a final design, fee and crucial structural information were never submitted before the monument was installed in September 2026.

The council also claims the finished memorial contains several features officials had not previously been told about.

The mason has since contacted the authority and said the family wants to regularise the situation.

The council is now demanding a retrospective application setting out exactly what has been built, together with the relevant paperwork.

A giant, linked watch sculpture, sitting atop a chair is positioned next to one of the scultpures of Michael, with the other depicting him sitting peacefully on a marble bench. Also included is a marble jukebox bearing the words “Legend Michael Collins” - alongside two Irish flags and a CD in a case, featuring a photograph of Michael at its centre | Submit/Iconic Media Group

Officials will then decide whether the memorial can remain as it is, whether changes or conditions are required and what fees must be paid.

But retrospective approval is not guaranteed.

Council rules require memorials to have a formal application and written approval from Bereavement Services, while only the largest structures require separate planning permission.

It is not the first time the Collins family has become embroiled in a row over a giant cemetery memorial.

Willy’s 37-tonne white marble monument was installed nearby in March 2022.

Although permission had been granted for a memorial, the council later said the structure that was actually built differed significantly from the approved design. That dispute remains unresolved.

A council spokesperson said: “At this stage discussions remain ongoing and it would not be appropriate to comment further.”

Willy, widely known as Big Willy, died unexpectedly on July 7, 2020, after collapsing while on holiday with his family in Majorca.

Now, with two enormous Collins memorials standing at Shiregreen Cemetery and another approval battle under way, the long-running dispute looks set to continue.