Menu
11/07/2018
East Belfast Bonfire Set Alight Hours After Court Order
A large bonfire in east Belfast was set alight hours after a court ordered its height to be reduced over safety concerns.
On Tuesday, the High Court ruled the Department for Infrastructure must take steps to reduce the height of the Bloomfield Walkway bonfire to no more than three metres.
Belfast City Council said the judge made the order taking into account a number of factors including "elected representative concerns, community fear and apprehension, and significant risk to property and life".
However, as police moved in to secure the site to enable contractors to safely remove material, the bonfire was set alight prematurely in the early hours of Wednesday and missiles were thrown at police. Dozens of riots vans and officers have remained in the area overnight.
Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd said: "Colleagues from Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service attended to protect a number of nearby properties. We also received reports of a number of vehicles having been set on fire in East Belfast.
"It is disappointing that some people decided to resort to violence as attempts were made to reduce significant threat to the life and property of local people, due to the size and location of this bonfire.
"Over recent months there has been a concerted effort by a wide range of agencies and community representatives to resolve this completely avoidable situation. I would like to thank those people for their efforts in trying to bring about a resolution to this matter .We all hoped that the bonfire builders would see sense. Regrettably this hasn't proved to be the case.
"Moving forward, PSNI will continue to liaise with partner agencies, local communities and political representatives to address concerns linked to bonfires. While PSNI is not the lead agency on bonfires and have limited legislative power in respect of bonfires or waste which has been illegally disposed at sites, we will continue to support other statutory bodies to carry out their roles if requested."
(LM)
On Tuesday, the High Court ruled the Department for Infrastructure must take steps to reduce the height of the Bloomfield Walkway bonfire to no more than three metres.
Belfast City Council said the judge made the order taking into account a number of factors including "elected representative concerns, community fear and apprehension, and significant risk to property and life".
However, as police moved in to secure the site to enable contractors to safely remove material, the bonfire was set alight prematurely in the early hours of Wednesday and missiles were thrown at police. Dozens of riots vans and officers have remained in the area overnight.
Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd said: "Colleagues from Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service attended to protect a number of nearby properties. We also received reports of a number of vehicles having been set on fire in East Belfast.
"It is disappointing that some people decided to resort to violence as attempts were made to reduce significant threat to the life and property of local people, due to the size and location of this bonfire.
"Over recent months there has been a concerted effort by a wide range of agencies and community representatives to resolve this completely avoidable situation. I would like to thank those people for their efforts in trying to bring about a resolution to this matter .We all hoped that the bonfire builders would see sense. Regrettably this hasn't proved to be the case.
"Moving forward, PSNI will continue to liaise with partner agencies, local communities and political representatives to address concerns linked to bonfires. While PSNI is not the lead agency on bonfires and have limited legislative power in respect of bonfires or waste which has been illegally disposed at sites, we will continue to support other statutory bodies to carry out their roles if requested."
(LM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
04 August 2017
DUP Challenges Council Decision Over Dangerous Bonfires
The DUP is to challenge a Belfast City Council decision on tackling dangerous bonfires. Earlier this week, the local authority backed a motion by Sinn Féin to allow council officers or contractors to remove bonfire materials from sites which threatened lives or property.
DUP Challenges Council Decision Over Dangerous Bonfires
The DUP is to challenge a Belfast City Council decision on tackling dangerous bonfires. Earlier this week, the local authority backed a motion by Sinn Féin to allow council officers or contractors to remove bonfire materials from sites which threatened lives or property.
27 July 2017
Belfast City Council To Meet Over Contentious Bonfires
A special meeting of Belfast City Council to discuss the issue of contentious bonfires is set to take place on Wednesday, 02 August.
Belfast City Council To Meet Over Contentious Bonfires
A special meeting of Belfast City Council to discuss the issue of contentious bonfires is set to take place on Wednesday, 02 August.
20 July 2012
Lyttle Condemns Bonfire Burnings Of All National And Cultural Symbols
Alliance MLA Chris Lyttle has condemned the burning of all flags, electoral posters and sectarian signage on bonfires. The East Belfast MLA is calling for a robust Executive Shared Future strategy to be put in place to ensure no one in Northern Ireland suffers from ethnic, cultural or sectarian intimidation.
Lyttle Condemns Bonfire Burnings Of All National And Cultural Symbols
Alliance MLA Chris Lyttle has condemned the burning of all flags, electoral posters and sectarian signage on bonfires. The East Belfast MLA is calling for a robust Executive Shared Future strategy to be put in place to ensure no one in Northern Ireland suffers from ethnic, cultural or sectarian intimidation.
18 July 2019
NIFRS Record 40% Drop In Bonfire Incidents
The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service has recorded the lowest number of bonfire related incidents in the past four years. Figures released pertaining to callouts on Thursday 11 July, as the loyalist community celebrated by lighting pyres across the country, show a 40% fall in incidents when compared with 2018.
NIFRS Record 40% Drop In Bonfire Incidents
The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service has recorded the lowest number of bonfire related incidents in the past four years. Figures released pertaining to callouts on Thursday 11 July, as the loyalist community celebrated by lighting pyres across the country, show a 40% fall in incidents when compared with 2018.
17 May 2016
Road In East Belfast Closed Overnight Following Fire
A road in east Belfast was closed overnight after bonfire material was set alight by youths. The emergency services attended the scene on the Beersbridge Road on Monday night, 16 May. One fire appliance was at the scene and extinguished the blaze. The road has now been reopened.
Road In East Belfast Closed Overnight Following Fire
A road in east Belfast was closed overnight after bonfire material was set alight by youths. The emergency services attended the scene on the Beersbridge Road on Monday night, 16 May. One fire appliance was at the scene and extinguished the blaze. The road has now been reopened.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
