Councillor condemns 'disgraceful' placing of flags and images on nationalist bonfire in Londonderry

Credit: UTV
Bonfires are traditionally lit in nationalist areas of Londonderry on August 15. Credit: UTV

The placing of flags and images on a nationalist bonfire in Londonderry has been condemned as "disgraceful".

Poppy wreaths have also been placed on the structure, something which SDLP leader Colum Eastwood blasted as "out of order".

"Why do they need to mimic the worst elements of loyalist culture?" he added.

City councillor John Boyle said the display on a bonfire in Derry's Bogside area did not represent the local community.

"The placing of these images and flags on the bonfire in Derry is disgraceful and I condemn it in the strongest possible terms," The SDLP representative added.

"Those behind this bonfire do not speak for the people of the Bogside who want to live in peace with their neighbours."

It follows condemnation at the weekend of a number of incidents, including pro-IRA chanting at a Wolfe Tones gig in west Belfast and chants of "Brits out" at the unveiling of a mural.

Meanwhile Larne Football Club has suspended player John Herron after he was photographed wearing a T-shirt with the slogan "Up The Ra".

In Derry, there was condemnation over the sale of Parachute Regiment flags and UVF flags at a stall at a loyalist parade on Saturday.

Bonfire builders from both communities have provoked anger in the past by burning symbols associated with the other's culture. Credit: UTV

Some of the families of those killed during Bloody Sunday in 1972, when the Parachute Regiment opened fire on civilians during a civil rights parade, said they felt personally insulted.

The Apprentice Boys, who organised the parade, have distanced themselves from the stall, and described the incident as "regrettable".

Mr Boyle added: "It's extremely disappointing that we are seeing this just days after the sale of UVF and parachute regiment flags in our city.

"While I understand the hurt and pain that has caused people, reacting in kind serves nobody.

"People who wish to celebrate and commemorate elements of their culture and traditions should always aim to do so in a non confrontational way without seeking to offend or upset anyone else.

"The past few days have shown that as a society we still have work to do in order to move forward as one."

The fires are associated with the anniversary of the introduction of internment. Credit: UTV

Bonfires are traditionally lit in nationalist areas of Londonderry on August 15.

The fires are associated with the August anniversary of the introduction of internment without trial during the Troubles, and also coincide with the Catholic Feast of the Assumption.

Republican and loyalist bonfires continue to be a source of controversy in Northern Ireland.

Bonfire builders from both communities have provoked anger in the past by burning symbols associated with the other's culture.

No major pyres were lit in Belfast last week to mark the anniversary of the introduction of internment on August 9 1971.

This follows efforts which have been made over several years, including a large music concert as part of Feile An Phobail, to divert young people from bonfires.

In July, police announced they were looking into almost 60 potential offences reported as having taken place at loyalist bonfires to mark the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne.

These reports include allegations of theft and destruction of political material, flags, hate slogans and effigies.

There was widespread condemnation after photographs emerged of hanging effigies of Sinn Fein president and vice-president Mary Lou McDonald and Michelle O'Neill, as well as Alliance Party leader Naomi Long, on a bonfire in Carrickfergus.


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