Northern Ireland

Bonfire builders hut decked in sectarian, violent and Nazi images

A hut used by bonfire builders made from pallets at the rear of Lisnasharragh Leisure Centre in east Belfast.
A hut used by bonfire builders made from pallets at the rear of Lisnasharragh Leisure Centre in east Belfast.

A glimpse inside the bonfire builders hut at Lisnasharragh Leisure Centre opens up a world which is often difficult to access.

Made from pallets and scaffolding boards, the tiny retreat offers a window into a mindset many will find shocking.

The small wooden-framed space is dominated by a large flag which shows a crouching masked man holding a rocket launcher.

Emblazoned across the flag are the words 'Clonduff Rocket Team'.

A similar flag has been flown from a lamppost nearby.

It is understood this is the name used by a local gang of youths based around the nearby Clonduff estate.

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Bonfire materials and pallets at the rear of Lisnasharragh Leisure Centre in east Belfast.
Bonfire materials and pallets at the rear of Lisnasharragh Leisure Centre in east Belfast.

Inside the hut a second flag honours the 36th (Ulster) Division and carries the words 'Ulster's heroes'.

The 36th was a British army division during World War One and was mainly made up of members of the original UVF.

Read more:Who are the UVF?

Across the hut the letters UVF have been etched onto a makeshift table while inches away what appears to be a Swastika made from tape has been stuck to the wooden frame.

The letters 'CRT' have been handwritten on each end of the Nazi symbol.

A battered and busted sofa forms the centrepiece of the loyalist mini-fortress and has become a gallery for the hate-filled artwork of those who spend time there.

The letters KAT, 'Kill All Taigs', have been scrawled into one corner of the beige-coloured seat, while those who take their rest on the other side of beaten sofa are greeted with an obscene image too graphic to describe in a family newspaper.

Read more:Alex Kane - Why are loyalist paramilitaries still recruiting – and why do they still exist? (premium)

Rubbish litters the floor of the hide while several power lines are clearly visible. Is not known what power source they are connected to.

The bonfire is being built in an area where the UVF is understood to be prominent.

Flags supporting that paramilitary group were flown around the site last year.

Seamas de Faoite. Picture by Hugh Russell.
Seamas de Faoite. Picture by Hugh Russell.

SDLP councillor Séamas de Faoite slammed the display.

"I am appalled to see sectarian symbols and slogans along with blatant support for paramilitarism, just yards away from one of Belfast's best leisure facilities," he said.

"It chilling to see these markers of hate have also been combined with symbols of Nazism.

"I will be raising this with our council officers as it is unacceptable that these symbols are appearing on Council property."

Alliance councillor Michael Long said "any racist or paramilitary paraphernalia is totally unacceptable....people have complained to me about it from the area who are unhappy with it".

"I think it's totally unacceptable to have this kind of material and these images basically glorifying terrorism at any site.

"If people want to celebrate their culture with bonfires, that's something we as a party have always supported their right to do, but it's not to be done in a way that's going out of its way to be deliberately offensive to people and certainly should not have paramilitary supporting materials.

"It shouldn't have racist materials if that's on there as well.

"It doesn't represent the views of local people, who the vast majority would never want that kind of nonsense."

Green Party councillor Brian Smyth was angered by the paramilitary themed images.

"I think that is absolutely obscene in this day and age, having that sort of imagery," he said.

"I don't care if it's loyalist or republican, I think there's no place for it in this day and age.

"I think a lot of people are intimidated and I think this bonfire is not safe and is not sustainable."