Northern Ireland

Private event to remember bonfire builder John Steele

Larne man John Steele died after falling from a bonfire in Larne last year
Larne man John Steele died after falling from a bonfire in Larne last year Larne man John Steele died after falling from a bonfire in Larne last year

The family of a man who died after falling from an Eleventh Night bonfire last year are to mark the first anniversary of his death.

Larne man John Steele (36) lost his life while building a pyre in the Antiville area of the Co Antrim town on July 9.

The father-of-two was said to have been an experienced bonfire builder and had been involved in helping to construct the local pyre for many years.

A telescopic digger knocks down the Antiville bonfire after the death of John Steele last year
A telescopic digger knocks down the Antiville bonfire after the death of John Steele last year A telescopic digger knocks down the Antiville bonfire after the death of John Steele last year

The ground on which the pyre was being built is owned by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council  and contractors later helped remove the material at the request of the local community.

Council officials later confirmed "no health and safety inspections were carried out at that site by council officers" prior to the accident.

Read More: 

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  • Council says contact Craigyhill bonfire builders over risk assessment
  • What are eleventh night bonfires?

It is understood Mr Steele's family is taking legal action over his death.

There are currently no plans to hold a bonfire on the site where the accident took place this year.

It is understood a private event is being organised to mark his first anniversary.

Rev Ben Preston, from Craigy Hill Presbyterian Church, said Mr Steele is remembered fondly in the local area.

"John is remembered by those who loved him most, and by the community in Antiville," he said.

"We who live here and pass by the physical scar of the old bonfire site will never forget what happened on the night of the 9th of July 2022.

"All should be allowed space to grieve and mourn, even to find solace in the words that the lord keeps track of all our sorrows."

Rev Preston said he is praying for a safe bonfire season this year.

"There is great loyalty found among the community of bonfire builders, which was witnessed in that coming together last year," he said.

"It is my prayer that they would know safety throughout the celebrations this year."

Read More : What are eleventh night bonfires?

Craigyhill Bonfire in Larne, Co Antrim. Picture by Mal McCann
Craigyhill Bonfire in Larne, Co Antrim. Picture by Mal McCann Craigyhill Bonfire in Larne, Co Antrim. Picture by Mal McCann

The area where Mr Steele died is a short distance from where a huge pyre is being built at nearby Craigyhill.

It was previously at the centre of an effort to break a height world record and a fundraising drive was set up to bring Guinness World Records to the site.

However, the records body later said it has no plans to send an adjudicator to the site.

When asked if the Mid and East Antrim council has a risk assessment linked to the Craigyhill pyre a spokesman referred the Irish News to the loyalist organisers.

Risk assessments are often carried out by public and other bodies to consider health and safety issues.

Earlier this month a council meeting to discuss legal advice on Eleventh Night bonfires was deferred until September with the support of unionist councillors.