First Minister Michelle O'Neill commends removal of bonfire material from Derry site
Bonfire materials were removed in the early hours of this morning, ahead of the annual August 15 bonfire in the Bogside, which was due to be staged on Saturday night
First Minister Michelle O’Neill has commended the people involved in the removal of bonfire material from a site in Derry.
The materials were removed in the early hours of this morning, ahead of the annual August 15 bonfire in the Bogside, which was due to be staged on Saturday night.
Police were in attendance as pallets were loaded into lorries by masked workers from under the Flyover in the Lecky Road area.
It is believed some remaining materials were set on fire by local youths.
Police advised motorists to avoid the Lecky Road on Wednesday morning due to debris blocking the bottom of the Flyover. The debris was quickly removed.
August 15 bonfires are lit to commemorate the introduction of internment without trial during the Troubles, which was brought in by the British government in 1971.
Speaking before a Féile Derry event in Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin this afternoon, the First Minister said: “I commend those who removed the pallets and all of the material because none of us want to see these anti-social bonfires in our community.
“We need to find ways to celebrate our culture and mark occasions, but don't do so in a way that endangers your community, that endangers homes around you and I think it is right and proper that this material was removed last night.”
In a statement on social media, the Bogside Community Support group said the removal of the bonfire material has put months of community engagement “at risk”. The group also accused the PSNI and DfI of “double standards”.
The group said: “After months of hard work engaging with local young people, reaching an agreement to have the bonfire in a safe space below the walls, returning stolen items and working to keep antisocial behaviour around the flyover to a minimum, we are deeply disappointed by the actions taken by the PSNI this morning.
“In just a few hours, months of community engagement and progress have been put at risk. The double standards we continue to see from the PSNI, DFI and other parties across this city are nothing short of a disgrace.
“Communities should not be undermined when genuine efforts are being made to reduce tensions, engage with young people and keep the peace.
“We now appeal for level heads and calm. We hope our young people do not give anyone the reaction they may be looking for."
A spokesperson for the PSNI said: “Officers in Derry/Londonderry were in attendance in the Lecky Road area on Wednesday morning, 12th August assisting to help prevent a breach of the peace following a call for support from the Department for Infrastructure in relation to the removal of pallets from the area.
“Public safety is our priority, and the Police Service of Northern Ireland continues to work with our partner agencies, community representatives and landowners to address community safety issues relating to bonfires.”
A spokesperson for the Department for Infrastructure said: “Working in co-ordination with the PSNI, the Department had pallets removed that had been stored under the Lecky Road Flyover. The illegal storage of the pallets under the flyover presented a significant fire safety risk due to the location of gas mains under the tarmac."
Bonfires in the Bogside area of Derry have proved controversial in recent years.
The annual bonfire, which had been lit in Meenan Square, is now undergoing a multi-million pounds redevelopment.
A replica crimson flag belonging to St Columb’s Cathedral was stolen and burned at last year’s bonfire despite last ditch efforts by community workers and public representatives to save the flag.