Northern Ireland

Unionist parties warned over bonfire report

UNIONIST parties have been warned they "cannot hide from the difficult issues" after launching a joint report on bonfire issues – that failed to mention paramilitaries.

The DUP, UUP and PUP unveiled yesterday their consultation paper in response to tensions over loyalist bonfires in Belfast.

Councillors said they engaged with more than 60 groups for the report, which aims to develop a "common understanding and approach" to the annual pyres.

But their 11-page report makes no reference to concerns about loyalist paramilitary involvement.

Bonfire night last year was another exceptionally busy operation for firefighters, with one towering pyre causing heat damage to apartments near a city centre hotel.

There have also been continuing concerns over offensive displays such as burning flags, effigies and election posters.

Last month The Irish News revealed a leaked academic report in which public bodies spoke candidly about contentious pyres being controlled by loyalist paramilitaries.

The study said paramilitaries use bonfires to "extend their legitimacy and control community activities".

Launching their own report yesterday, PUP leader Billy Hutchinson said paramilitaries are not controlling most bonfire nights in Belfast.

He said: "How would you ever identify that the person who's doing this has been told by the UDA/UVF to do it?"

The councillor added: "We found that they were not involved in them in a controlling way in the majority of them."

SDLP councillor Tim Attwood welcomed the report and acknowledged that "many unionist communities are on a journey in relation to bonfires".

"However, we all have to recognise that there are a number of bonfires which continue to put at risk people's health, homes and property. Post Grenfell, this is unacceptable," he said.

The party's council group leader said the unionist parties' report should "represent the beginning of a conversation on the future of bonfires".

"But we cannot hide from the difficult issues if we're to reach an acceptable accommodation," he added.