It is disturbing that extreme elements within both loyalism and republicanism seem determined to cause gratuitous offence in connection with annual bonfires in some areas.
The use of racist and sectarian material has become commonplace at Eleventh Night gatherings and it is entirely appropriate that, as we reported yesterday, a hate crime prosecution is to follow after a particularly outrageous display in Antrim town.
It is equally appalling that a poppy wreath, which had apparently been stolen from a cenotaph, could be placed on a bonfire in the nationalist Creggan district of Derry at the weekend.
All those who repeatedly set out to engage in such provocative behaviour bring shame on their own communities and must expect to find themselves before the courts.
