Sinn Féin councillor Brenda Chivers has reiterated her call for Bonfire problems to be tackled.

Cllr. Chivers said: "Sinn Féin are opposed to bonfires, which cause damage to homes and public amenities and which have been used to promote hate crime and which present a threat to life and property and to the environment.

"Looking at it from a purely financial point of view bonfires have cost the ratepayers of this council area.

"£30,643 for 29 bonfire sites. On top of this are wider costs including policing and other emergency services, and costs to other statutory agencies.

"Of the 29 sites, 13 sites attracted a total of 42 official complaints to the council. So the issue of damage to community relations cannot be overlooked."

She added: "I would also like to thank council staff for their clean-up efforts as returning the sites to their normal state is of utmost importance.

"However there remains a need for the issue of bonfires to be properly addressed well in advance of next July."

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