A COUNCIL bonfire safety scheme has been dubbed a “laughing stock” after it was launched in an area “notorious” for hosting a loyalist pyre packed with rubber tyres.
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council unveiled the document last week in Dervock, a village in north Antrim.
The event was aimed at promoting “safer bonfire management” encouraged “planning the bonfire, the collection of materials required and the cleaning up process after the event”.
The document distributed at the event and across the wider borough, also addresses the “positive promotion” of cultural celebration, and Causeway Coast and Glens mayor Joan Baird said: “I hope that people take the advice from this new leaflet and follow all proper procedures to ensure that bonfires can be carried out safely with the correct management in place.”
However, the annual pyre at Dervock has been criticised in previous years over environmental concerns and sectarianism surrounding the event.
Last year saw the bonfire display an Irish tricolour scrawled with ‘KAT’ – an acronym for “kill all taigs”, while a banner featuring a threat to independent republican councillor Padraig McShane was also hoisted on the structure.
Bonfire builders took to social media to deny claims the UDA had been involved in the bonfire, insisting this was “lies to make everyone look bad”.
Despite this, a UDA flag was also flown from the top of the pyre before it was torched.
On social media one Dervock bonfire builder has insisted that images of late Sinn Féin politician Martin McGuinness would be on the top of this year's pyre.
Criticising the choice of Dervock for the initiative, SDLP North Antrim MLA John Dallat said: “This is a laughing stock, as Dervock – and nearby Finvoy – host two of the worst tyres in the north in terms of burning tyres. Each is notorious.
“This leaflet proclaims the desire for better environmental awareness and community relations, but just looking at the bonfire site now will show that it’s not being heeded.”
Mr Dallat added: “There are really fantastic people in Dervock, and the recent event to celebrate WW1 Battle of Messines hero Private John Meeke was an example of how to promote culture positively, but I believe there are paramilitary elements holding the area back in terms of bonfires. Ratepayers who have funded this leaflet scheme deserve better.”
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan added: “The social media comments and the presence of tyres at the bonfire site proves this is not an event the council should be linked to in terms of promoting good environmental practise and cultural respect.”
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council did not comment last night.
