A BONFIRE to celebrate the death of Martin McGuinness has been condemned as "sickening" by a unionist councillor.
A number of loyalists gathered in the Sandy Row area of south Belfast on Tuesday night to light the bonfire.
One loyalist Facebook page wrote: "Some what of a celebratory mood in the loyalist Sandy Row area of Belfast tonight, which includes a bonfire and fireworks.#MartinMcguiness."
In other loyalist areas of Belfast, graffiti stating 'rot in hell Marty' appeared.
Independent unionist councillor Ruth Patterson, who represents the Sandy Row area on Belfast City Council, described the bonfire as "sickening" and not "the right course of action".
She told The Irish News: "Regardless of what McGuinness was responsible or not responsible for, he was a human being like the rest of us. There are family and loved ones who are grieving for him.
"I also ask myself; how would I feel if republicans decide to have a bonfire when Her Majesty the Queen passes away?
"Martin McGuinness will meet his maker, and it is up to God to decide his fate."
Sinn Féin West Belfast MLA Fra McCann said the bonfire was "unacceptable", adding: "I do genuinely feel saddened by these scenes tonight, we as a society are beyond this - we cannot let a few drag us back."
In April 2013, Mr McGuinness called on republicans to "resist celebrating" the death of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, after people took to the streets in parts of Belfast and Derry.
The former Deputy First Minister tweeted at the time: "She was not a peacemaker but it is a mistake to allow her death to poison our minds."
Two years before the death of the former Conservative Prime Minister, Sinn Féin withdrew a T-shirt from its online shop which depicted Mrs Thatcher's headstone with a sign: "Dancers please form an orderly queue".
