Northern Ireland

DUP's Gavin Robinson: Republicans not to blame if bonfires breach Covid-19 rules

A bonfire being built yesterday at Lismore Street in east Belfast
A bonfire being built yesterday at Lismore Street in east Belfast A bonfire being built yesterday at Lismore Street in east Belfast

REPUBLICANS will not be to blame if there are breaches of Covid-19 regulations at bonfires over the Twelfth, a DUP MP has said.

Gavin Robinson said loyalists thinking of organising bonfires "should be conscious their actions could put people's health at risk".

Criticism of Sinn Féin over Bobby Storey's funeral last week means there is an "even greater responsibility upon us now to demonstrate that two wrongs do not make a right", he said.

Annual bonfires had been largely cancelled earlier this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, but some loyalists have since resumed construction ahead of the Eleventh Night.

A bonfire is being rebuilt at Lismore Street in east Belfast, while a new pyre is also expected at Avoniel leisure centre – which last summer was the focus of a stand-off between police and bonfire builders.

Both sites had just weeks ago been cleared of bonfire materials by council contractors in efforts supported by members of the community.

Mr Robinson, MP for East Belfast, referenced the Bobby Storey funeral controversy – in which Sinn Féin was accused of breaching Covid-19 restrictions – as he addressed the issue of bonfires.

In a post on Facebook, he said decisions should be "guided by what is right rather than the actions of others".

Bonfire materials at Lismore Street in east Belfast
Bonfire materials at Lismore Street in east Belfast Bonfire materials at Lismore Street in east Belfast

"Bonfires by their nature require people to congregate at a site and therefore pose greater risks than a band entertaining residents as they pass by. This cannot be ignored and anyone contemplating holding such a bonfire should be conscious their actions could put people's health at risk but also put them at risk of being considered no different to those who flouted the rules previously," he said.

"Republicans will not be to blame should there be breaches of Covid-19 regulations during any 12th July celebration. It will not be a defence or justification to say 'well they did it too'.

"Indeed, having stood with the vast majority people from all shades of political opinion in criticising the deputy first minister and other Sinn Féin representatives, there is an even greater responsibility upon us now to demonstrate that two wrongs do not make a right."

In recent days a loyalist grouping called the East Belfast Cultural Collective said it would not be seeking to prevent loyalists collecting for bonfires.

It urged participants to adhere to public health regulations, and advised that pyres should be small, positioned to keep property safe and not include tyres or other rubbish.

Loyalist blogger Jamie Bryson said: "People agree the celebrations, if they do take place, should be small, localised and in line with public health regulations."

However, others such as Rev Mervyn Gibson, from Westbourne Presbyterian Church in east Belfast, have said loyalists should abandon efforts to rebuild bonfires.

DUP councillor George Dorrian, who was involved in efforts to clear materials last month, said people "should continue to heed the health advice".

"There are alternative ways to celebrate this year, in a safe and responsible manner," he said.

"We have come through so much over the past few months and I am concerned we are jeopardising this."

A city council spokeswoman said: "While the bonfire at London Road/Lismore street is not on council-owned land we are aware of material being gathered at this site.

"Avoniel is currently closed to the public as work continues at the site as part of our leisure transformation programme.

"We are currently not aware of any material gathered at Avoniel at present. We will continue to work with elected members and key stakeholders, including statutory partners and the community to address any concerns that may arise around this particular site."