Firefighters deal with ‘challenging night' ahead of July 12th Orange Order parades
Tens of thousands will take to the streets across the region for the traditional Orange Order parades on Saturday.
Advertisement
The festivities will be spread across 19 main locations to mark the 334th anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne, where the Protestant King William of Orange triumphed over the Catholic King James II.
It comes after the burning of bonfires at an estimated 300 locations in loyalist neighbourhoods across the region on Thursday and Friday nights.
While most of the bonfires passed off peacefully, there was condemnation after effigies of migrants in a boat were burned on a bonfire in Moygashel, Co Tyrone.
Pictures of Belfast Irish language rap band Kneecap and Irish flags were also burned on other pyres.
Advertisement
It was a challenging & extremely busy night for NIFRS. Between 6pm & 2am, we received 277 emergency calls. This resulted in our Firefighters attending 194 operational incidents, 72 of these incidents were bonfire related.
Read our full statement:
https://t.co/GKx57GKUin
pic.twitter.com/Db9Wh00J8l
— Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (@NIFRSOFFICIAL)
July 12, 2025
But the most contentious bonfire was located on a site containing asbestos and close to an electricity substation off the Donegall Road in south Belfast.
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said it dealt with 72 bonfire-related incidents across the evening.
One firefighter was attacked while attending a bonfire in Lisburn, Co Antrim.
NIFRS area commander Andy Burns said: 'Between 6pm 11 July and 2am 12 July 2025, we received 277 emergency 999 calls.
Advertisement
'This resulted in our firefighters attending 194 operational incidents, 72 of which were webonfire-related. Peak activity was between 10pm and 1am.
'During this period, the number of emergency calls received increased by 154 per cent when compared to 2024.
'It was a challenging and extremely busy night for NIFRS with an increase in demand for our regional control centre and emergency response.'
The spokesperson added: 'Disappointingly, a firefighter was attacked while attending a bonfire in Lisburn. They were not injured and remained on duty.
Advertisement
'This was an isolated incident and not reflective of the support shown to firefighters in carrying out their duties across the evening.'
Effigies of controversial Irish rappers Kneecap placed on a bonfire on Roden Street in Belfast (Niall Carson/PA)
Of all the loyal order parades to take place on Saturday, around 30 have been officially categorised as sensitive by the Parades Commission.
Locations of sensitive parades this year include Belfast, Coleraine, Keady, Dunloy, Rasharkin, Strabane, Newtownabbey, Maghera, Newtownbutler, Portadown, Glengormley and Bellaghy.
More than 4,000 police officers and police staff will be working on July 12th.
Advertisement
On the 11th night, around 1,200 officers were deployed to monitor public safety at bonfires.
The cost of policing parades and bonfires in Northern Ireland through spring and summer was €7 million (£6.1 million) last year, a figure that was up €1.7 million (£1.5 million) on the previous year.
The bill, which covers the period April 1st to August 31st, also includes the cost of policing republican commemorations around Easter and events to mark the mid-August anniversary of the introduction of internment without trial during the Troubles.
The PSNI expects the costs in 2025 to be higher still.
This is due to falling police numbers and the resultant increased reliance on paying overtime to ensure enough officers are on duty for the events.
Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has urged mutual respect in the marking of events.
He said: 'Our officers will be on the ground throughout the weekend, working in partnership with community leaders, event organisers, and local representatives to support lawful, peaceful, and family-friendly events. However where necessary, we will take firm and proportionate action to keep people safe.
'Our priority remains the safety and wellbeing of everyone.'
On Sunday morning, an Orange Order parade has been permitted to pass Ardoyne shops in north Belfast, restricted to one band and 50 members of the order.
It is a return parade at a former flashpoint, which traditionally took place on the evening of July 12th, often resulting in violent scenes.
Meanwhile, the traditional July 13th events organised by the Royal Black Preceptory in the village of Scarva, Co Armagh, will take place on Monday.
The event includes a parade as well as a sham fight between actors playing rival monarchs William and James.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
3 hours ago
- BBC News
Cousin of Concepta Leonard says ministers need to do more to protect abuse victims
The relative of a woman murdered in her own home has said executive ministers have not done enough to help victims of domestic abuse, following the murder of Vanessa Whyte and her children, James and Sara Rutledge on Leonard, 51, was killed at her home near Maguiresbridge in County Fermanagh in May was stabbed to death by Peadar Phair before he took his own cousin, Marcella Leonard told BBC News NI that the justice and health ministers have not done enough to better understand the needs of victims, since her cousins death. Speaking to Evening Extra, social worker Marcella Leonard asked "How do the agencies and our government respond appropriately to make sure that they can feel that everything is actually being done to try to prevent this from happening again?"Addressing the issue of what has changed since the death of her cousin, Mrs Leonard said "there is certainly a greater awareness of domestic violence being on the strategic agenda's, certainly councils are being very proactive around education, there has definitely been an improvement in raising awareness that this happens."However, Mrs Leonard added: "Do I genuinely believe that the justice ministers and health ministers have done everything that I would expect them to do in response to get a better understanding of the needs of victims? Very sadly, no." 'Absolute priority' "I don't believe that any other society, if they had the statistics that Northern Ireland are having at the moment, this would be an absolute priority."She added that "unfortunately here in Northern Ireland our politicians do not see that as a priority.""I know that they can come on the radio and talk about their strategic plans, but that is not filtering down to their investment in resources or services."Marcella Leonard is a qualified social worker with 35 years experience in child, adult, public safeguarding and protection. She has also carried out reviews of some government services. Mrs Leonard said she "had such concern over the lack of proactiveness of the justice department acting on a report I did in relation to a review of MARAC (multi-agency risk assessment conferences), that I directly asked to speak to the justice minister and that left me feeling worse about things, rather than reassuring me."BBC News NI has contacted the Department of Justice for a response. Mrs Leonard also called for greater availability of services to help victims. "It sits with them to set the strategic vision, but also to provide the investment into the services on the ground that make the practical difference, to be able to have 24 hour response, helplines and residential places for safety," she said. "If I think of my cousin I think of someone who would not have been perceived of someone who would've been at risk, we need to have a better sense of that it can happen within any age group, race, culture and creed."We have to recognise that this can happen to any person."Following the murders on Wednesday, the Health Minister Mike Nesbitt and the Justice Minister Naomi Long issued issued a joint statement saying: "We are horrified and heartbroken to learn of the tragedy that has occurred in Maguiresbridge."We send our deepest sympathies to the families affected and to the wider community in County Fermanagh," they said."The shock of this terrible event is being felt by many people and we would urge those in need of support to reach out to services provided within the Health and Social Care system, and in the voluntary and community sector."
BBC News
7 hours ago
- BBC News
Small group of fans damaging club's reputation
Linfield have said a "small minority of supporters" are damaging the club's reputation after being fined for two separate incidents during this month's Champions League qualifier against Shelbourne. On Thursday, the Belfast club were fined 10,000 euro (£8,727) for "racist and/or discriminatory behaviour of its supporters" and 2,000 euro (£1,745) for the lighting of fireworks in Windsor Park during the second leg on 16 July. The Irish Premiership champions were also handed a partial stadium ban, which is suspended for two to the sanction on Friday, Linfield noted their "extreme disappointment", adding: "This sanction is as a result of sectarian chanting and the use of flares by individuals who would profess to be our supporters."The club has repeatedly urged its supporters to refrain from all forms of sectarian and discriminatory chanting at our games and also to avoid the use of pyrotechnics. "We had a fantastic number of fans present at the Shelbourne game and it is deeply frustrating that a small minority of supporters continue to disregard our appeals and consequently damage the reputation of the club."The Windsor Park game finished 1-1 with Dubliners Shelbourne progressing 2-1 on aggregate. Linfield's statement added: "Uefa have also warned that partial stadium closure will follow if there is any repeat of such behaviour over the next two years. "The club would again appeal to all supporters to take heed of this warning and ensure that the club does not receive further financial punishment and reputational damage."Linfield returned to action on Thursday with a 0-0 first-leg draw away to Lithuanian side Zalgiris Vilnius in the second round of Uefa Conference League qualifying.
Metro
a day ago
- Metro
Kneecap slam 'outrageous' ban ahead of major music festival
Kneecap has taken aim at the Hungarian government for its 'outrageous' decision to ban them from the country. In recent months the Belfast-based rap group – which consists of Liam Og O hAnnaidh, Naoise O Caireallain, and JJ O Dochartaigh – has come under the spotlight, notably for their vocal support of Palestine. Last month Og O hAnnaidh, who performs as Mo Chara, faced Westminster Magistrates' Court after being charged with a terror offence. The 27-year-old has been accused of displaying a flag representing Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation at a gig last November. He has denied the charges. Then after their Glastonbury performance, in which O Caireallain suggested fans 'start a riot' outside his bandmate's upcoming court appearance, Avon and Somerset Police launched a probe into their set. Although it was announced last week that police had dropped their investigation, the band are again facing another hurdle. Kneecap had been due to play at Sziget Festival in Budapest next month. But earlier today Hungarian government spokesperson Zoltan Kovacs revealed they'd been banned from the country for three years. He said that the decision was made due to Kneecap members 'repeatedly engage in antisemitic hate speech supporting terrorism and terrorist groups'. 'Hungary has zero tolerance for antisemitism in any form. 'Their planned performance posed a national security threat, and for this reason, the group has been formally banned from Hungary for three years. If they enter, expulsion will follow under international norms.' A few hours later the band released a statement condemning the move. 'To the tens of thousands of fans who we were buzzing to see in person at Sziget, we're sorry we won't be with you,' they began. 'The authoritarian government of Viktor Orban say we 'pose a national security threat'.' They went on to write that claim was 'f***ing outrageous', adding that the Prime Minister had 'welcomed wanted war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu like a hero just a few weeks ago'. 'There is no legal basis for his actions, no member of Kneecap has ever been convicted of any crime in any country. We stand against all hate crimes and Kneecap champions love and solidarity as well as calling out injustices when we see it,' they continued. 'It's clear this is political distraction and a further attempt to silence those who call out genocide against the Palestinian people. 'Much like the good people of Budapest, who defied their own President's ban on their 'Pride Parade' in June, we will fight for what is right.' Festival organisers said the decision was 'unnecessary and regrettable' and could serve to 'not only damage the reputation of Sziget, but also negatively affect Hungary's standing worldwide'. 'Sziget Festival's values mean we condemn hate speech, while guaranteeing the fundamental right to artistic freedom of expression for every performer,' they wrote in a statement. 'Cancel culture and cultural boycotts are not the solution.' Kneecap, who were scheduled to play a set at Sziget's closing day on August 11, have faced the cancellation of several of their shows in the past few months, including the TRNSMT festival in Glasgow, the Eden Project in Cornwall, and Germany's Hurricane Festival and Southside Festival. The band have repeatedly shut down claims they support Hamas and have denied accusations of anti-Semitism. More Trending 'Those attacking us want to silence criticism of a mass slaughter. They weaponise false accusations of antisemitism to distract, confuse, and provide cover for genocide,' they said. After the investigation into their Glastonbury set, Kneecap said they were being 'targeted' and faced 'state intimidation'. 'We will continue to fight. We will continue to win,' they added. Metro has contacted representatives for Kneecap for comment. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Bob Vylan singer supports Kneecap in first appearance since Glastonbury investigation MORE: Fontaines D.C. fan told to 'put Palestinian t-shirt in the bin' at London gig MORE: Kneecap lead 45,000-strong crowd in anti-Keir Starmer chants after launch of Glastonbury probe
