Fountain bonfire a 'naked display of sectarianism' - Foyle MLA claims

The burning of Irish tricolours and Palestinian flags on a bonfire in Derry's Fountain area over the weekend has been described as ‘despicable’.

Sinn Féin MLA Pádraig Delargy branded the bonfire in the loyalist area of the city as a 'naked display of sickening sectarianism'.

He said: “The bonfire in the Fountain area at the weekend was a naked display of sickening sectarianism that should be long consigned to the past.

“Burning Irish tricolours and the flag of a nation currently experiencing genocide and starvation is a clear attempt to stoke division and tension among local people.

“Unionist politicians should show consistency, strong leadership, and join me in calling this despicable behaviour out for what it is.

“These scenes once again reinforce the need for regulation of all bonfires to end the illegality and hate-fuelled behaviour associated with them.”