Northern Ireland

Six bonfires on Belfast council 'watch list' as last-minute talks attempt to defuse tensions

Bonfire builders at a car park at Avoniel Leisure Centre in east Belfast voluntarily remove tyres. Picture by Pacemaker Press
Bonfire builders at a car park at Avoniel Leisure Centre in east Belfast voluntarily remove tyres. Picture by Pacemaker Press Bonfire builders at a car park at Avoniel Leisure Centre in east Belfast voluntarily remove tyres. Picture by Pacemaker Press

THE Irish News understands that material could be removed from up to six bonfire sites in Belfast.

All the pyres on the Belfast City Council 'watch list' are in the east of the city and were identified as part of a restricted report compiled ahead of this year's bonfire season, with monitoring of sites causing concern.

Councillors voted to adopt the recommendations and remove material at those identified as causing potential risk.

Meetings are expected to take place this morning between senior loyalists and the PSNI in an attempt to defuse tensions in east Belfast.

More than 1,800 tyres were taken from a pyre at London Road near the Ravenhill Road by contractors hired by Belfast City Council on Sunday morning.

Tyres from a bonfire in the car park of Avoniel Leisure Centre were then removed voluntarily by loyalists on Monday afternoon after it was confirmed they would be seized by contractors under police protection if necessary.

Contractors removed tyres from a bonfire near the Ravenhill Road at the weekend. Picture by Pacemaker Press
Contractors removed tyres from a bonfire near the Ravenhill Road at the weekend. Picture by Pacemaker Press Contractors removed tyres from a bonfire near the Ravenhill Road at the weekend. Picture by Pacemaker Press

It is not known if the unilateral action will resolve the situation at Avoniel, with some councillors calling for the entire site to be cleared of bonfire material.

The leisure facility shut on Sunday afternoon due to concerns for staff after a handful of loyalists closed the main gates for a time to prevent material being removed.

A bonfire at Ashdale Street, near Connswater Shopping Centre, has also been identified as dangerous.

It is new to the area and follows action last July against a pyre built close to homes at Bloomfield walkway.

Bonfire builders at the Avoniel Leisure Centre site voluntarily remove tyres from their bonfire on Monday.
Bonfire builders at the Avoniel Leisure Centre site voluntarily remove tyres from their bonfire on Monday. Bonfire builders at the Avoniel Leisure Centre site voluntarily remove tyres from their bonfire on Monday.

Loyalists set fire to the structure as masked contractors, believed to have been hired from outside the jurisdiction, moved in to remove the material.

Those responsible agreed not to build on the walkway again, but some local youths moved the fire to Connswater.

While The Irish News understands that negotiations to have material voluntarily removed are underway, as it stands the council plans to move in this week.

A fire built in the middle of the road close to Cluan Place and stacked full of tyres was also removed by masked contractors last July.

The small cul-de-sac is also on this year's 'watch list' with officials aware that material for a bonfire is being stockpiled.

Bonfire builders at the Avoniel Leisure Centre site voluntarily removed tyres from their bonfire on Monday after a ruling from the City Council to clear the site.
Bonfire builders at the Avoniel Leisure Centre site voluntarily removed tyres from their bonfire on Monday after a ruling from the City Council to clear the site. Bonfire builders at the Avoniel Leisure Centre site voluntarily removed tyres from their bonfire on Monday after a ruling from the City Council to clear the site.

The land belongs to the Department for Infrastructure who are responsible for removing any material causing risk to life or property.

A fire at Inverary Playing Fields is also set to be removed. It was previously included in a 2017 High Court injunction aimed at banning bonfire builders gathering any further material. The injunction was granted but never enforced.

A smaller fire at Thistle Court is also being monitored and if not removed voluntarily, contractors will be asked to move in and clear the site ahead of Thursday when the fires are traditionally lit in loyalist areas across Northern Ireland.

PACEMAKER BELFAST  08/07/2019.Bonfire builders at the Avoniel Leisure Centre site voluntarily remove tyres from their bonfire this afternoon after a ruling from the City Council..A council committee has decided to â??act in the public interestâ?? and remove materials from two bonfires in east Belfast.The Strategic Policy and Resources Committee met on Monday afternoon to discuss up to eight sites where bonfires have been erected..Photo Pacemaker Press..
PACEMAKER BELFAST 08/07/2019.Bonfire builders at the Avoniel Leisure Centre site voluntarily remove tyres from their bonfire this afternoon after a ruling from the City Council..A council committee has decided to â??act in the public interestâ PACEMAKER BELFAST 08/07/2019.Bonfire builders at the Avoniel Leisure Centre site voluntarily remove tyres from their bonfire this afternoon after a ruling from the City Council..A council committee has decided to â??act in the public interestâ?? and remove materials from two bonfires in east Belfast.The Strategic Policy and Resources Committee met on Monday afternoon to discuss up to eight sites where bonfires have been erected..Photo Pacemaker Press..
PACEMAKER BELFAST  08/07/2019.Bonfire builders at the Avoniel Leisure Centre site voluntarily remove tyres from their bonfire this afternoon after a ruling from the City Council..A council committee has decided to â??act in the public interestâ?? and remove materials from two bonfires in east Belfast.The Strategic Policy and Resources Committee met on Monday afternoon to discuss up to eight sites where bonfires have been erected..Photo Pacemaker Press..
PACEMAKER BELFAST 08/07/2019.Bonfire builders at the Avoniel Leisure Centre site voluntarily remove tyres from their bonfire this afternoon after a ruling from the City Council..A council committee has decided to â??act in the public interestâ PACEMAKER BELFAST 08/07/2019.Bonfire builders at the Avoniel Leisure Centre site voluntarily remove tyres from their bonfire this afternoon after a ruling from the City Council..A council committee has decided to â??act in the public interestâ?? and remove materials from two bonfires in east Belfast.The Strategic Policy and Resources Committee met on Monday afternoon to discuss up to eight sites where bonfires have been erected..Photo Pacemaker Press..