Northern Ireland

Mid Ulster Council could introduce bonfire permit system

Mid-Ulster District Council is to consider introducing a permit scheme for bonfires
Mid-Ulster District Council is to consider introducing a permit scheme for bonfires Mid-Ulster District Council is to consider introducing a permit scheme for bonfires

A council may introduce a permit system for bonfires.

Mid-Ulster District Council will consider the move following a special committee meeting called by Sinn Féin to discuss “rogue bonfires”.

The meeting was held after Belfast City Council voted in favour of allowing staff and contractors to remove material from any bonfire in the city.

Unionists have since challenged that decision.

Tensions around bonfires have been high since before the Twelfth.

Last month Mid-Ulster District Council removed tyres from several loyalist bonfires in the Cookstown area.

A report published ahead of a meeting last week of its environment committee - called to "ensure everything is being done to reduce risk to ratepayers as a result of illegal activity” - said the council spent more than £17,500 clearing up pyre sites in June and July.

It also revealed that there are currently eight bonfires held on council land across the district.

Several recommendations are now expected to be brought before the full council for approval next month, including the development of an options paper on the introduction of an application process for use of council property for bonfires.

The environment committee also backed the establishment of a bonfire inter-agency working group and engagement with communities that both want and don’t want bonfires.

Sinn Fein's Ronan McGinley, chair of the committee, said that “this was never an attack on culture”.

“The council has a responsibility when events take place on its property to ensure a safe place for all, accountability and respect,” he said.

“Burning illegal materials, lack of insurance, hate crimes etc are examples where this council needs to step up and ensure risk is reduced.”

SDLP councillor Martin Kearney also said “it is right that we seek to reduce the number of bonfires on council land that burn tyres and other illegal waste and reduce levels of hate crime".

“The SDLP believe a form of licensing could bring about not only an additional level of safety but also highlight those bonfires which cause offence and criminal damage,” he said.

However, UUP councillor Trevor Wilson said he did not believe the proposals would be "conducive to good community relations”.

“Working with the community is the best option,” he said.

Mr Wilson also said that nationalists should have waited until the Stormont-appointed Commission on Flags, Identity, Culture and Tradition reports its findings later this year.