Concerns about a bonfire constructed on council land close to Lisnasharragh leisure centre in east Belfast are not new.
The pyre is being built between two 4G playing pitches installed at significant cost at the rear of the £20m facility, which opened to the public in 2019.
One of the pitches was damaged by a similar bonfire last year, when thousands also had to be spent on protective measures. Paramilitary flags have also been flown at the site in the past.
And pictures published by this newspaper showing violent, sectarian and Nazi imagery inside a hut used by bonfire builders have now given a shocking insight into the mindset of some of those involved.
Among the items was a large flag depicting a masked man holding a rocket launcher alongside the words 'Clonduff Rocket Team'.
A swastika made from tape could also be seen on a table alongside the letters UVF, while 'KAT' – 'Kill All Taigs' – was scrawled onto a battered sofa seat.
Rather than express shame for the sick display, the response of faceless loyalists to the front page coverage last week was to spray anti-Irish News graffiti on an office run by Alliance leader Naomi Long in east Belfast.
Party councillor Michael Long had condemned the sectarian and paramilitary imagery and his wife's premises on Newtownards Road were targeted hours later.
The PSNI are treating this as a sectarian motivated hate crime and it must be hoped anyone with information will come forward to assist the investigation.
Mr Long, who was physically assaulted and branded 'republican scum' while canvassing in east Belfast ahead of May's local government election, said he will not be intimidated by the graffiti, which was signed 'CRT' - believed to be a reference to the loyalist youths who call themselves Clonduff Rocket Team.
This paper, too, will continue to robustly investigate issues of concern to readers and in the wider public interest.
The offensive imagery at the Lisnasharragh site is not reflective of the community in east Belfast and should be publicly condemned by all elected representatives.
Belfast City Council must also take responsibility for such displays on its land as well as the clear risks posed to public property by this bonfire.
Expressions of culture should be facilitated where they are safe and respectful but sectarian, racist or paramilitary images have no place in our society and demonstrate why a system of regulation for bonfires in both loyalist and nationalist areas is essential.
