Two controversial bonfires in Derry are set to go ahead tonight

Two controversial bonfires in Derry are set to go ahead tonight.

Bonfires in the Bogside and Creggan will be lit later tonight despite weeks of behind the scenes negotiations to prevent them from going ahead.

Bonfires on August 15 are traditionally lit in some nationalist parts of the North to mark the Feast of the Assumption. Bonfires are also lit to commemorate the introduction of internment, which was introduced in 1971.

Numerous Bogside residents contacted the Derry News to voice their opposition to the bonfire at Meenan Square.

One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said the bonfire was “a disgrace”.

“We have to deal with this (bonfire) every year and we’re sick of it,” the resident said. “The vast majority of people have moved on and don’t want bonfires anymore, they’re a thing of the past.

“It’s the elderly residents that I feel for. The bonfire is built close to people's homes and it scares the older residents. Most of the young ones coming to the bonfire will have blue bags and older residents feel intimidated.

“Then there is the tyres and the environmental and smoke damage they cause. People can’t open their windows because of the fumes. 

“It’s scandalous that this is being allowed to happen.”

The owners of the land in Meenan Square in the Bogside have revealed that they cannot find a contractor willing to clear the site.

Apex Housing Association said they have not “authorised” the bonfire on the Meenan Square site and that they continue to re-secure boundary fencing and gates after each “incident of forced entry”.

A spokesperson for Apex Housing Association commented: “All options to remove materials from the site have been explored, however no contractor has been willing to assist due to health and safety concerns.

“We fully recognise the distress and potential danger that these activities pose to local residents and visitors in the area. 

“Working with the PSNI, we have engaged with local representatives and statutory bodies to mitigate the risks associated with a bonfire at Meenan Square.  

“We remain committed to working with all relevant parties to find a resolution that ensures the safety and well-being of the local community.”

A spokesperson for Derry City and Strabane District Council said Meenan Square is not council-owned land and that council does not authorise or regulate bonfires. 

A spokesperson for the council said: “The council does however engage with a wide range of statutory partners including NIFRS, PSNI, NIHE, NIEA, NIAS and community partners to minimise the impact on local communities. Advice on hazards, the risks and safety precautions around bonfires is strongly communicated by all partners.

“At the June Health and Communities committee meeting members approved a spend of £15,000 towards directed intervention activity within the Moor DEA during July and August. The funding is targeted at finding new and alternative positive activities that will benefit the local community.”

A PSNI spokesperson said: “Police continue to engage with partners, including local council, statutory partners and the local community, to ensure members of the public and residents are kept safe and will have an appropriate and proportionate policing operation in place.

“Police continue to engage with partners, including local council, statutory partners and the local community in relation to all bonfires in Derry City & Strabane this includes Meenan Square.”

Meanwhile, a bonfire will also be lit in the Bligh’s Lane area of Creggan.

Organisers said they have moved the bonfire to a nearby field following discussions with local residents and ‘community representatives’ over safety concerns.

Ina post of its Facebook page, organisers of the Creggan said: “In the interests of the local Creggan community our builders have been informed that our building site for the fire was too close to a major NIE electrical facility which provides the majority of Creggan with electricity. 

“After liaising with community reps and others we have decided to move the fire and put it on the only other feasible site... the adjacent road. We will have cones and road signs in place on both ends of Bligh’s Lane.”

A spokesperson for the hardline republican party, Saoradh praised the organisers for listening to the concerns of residents by moving the bonfire.

The Saoradh spokesperson said: “Over the course of the last number of months and weeks Saoradh representatives have been engaging with young people involved with the Creggan bonfire. 

“Whilst realising the realities, and challenges posed by such an event, we would like to commend the young people for having a mature understanding of the community and being open to the fact that not everyone is in favour of the bonfire.”

The spokesperson added that Saoradh was not involved in the building of the bonfire in Creggan.