‘Go ahead and enjoy yourselves': Top Orangeman says concern over bonfire is ‘political'

Belfast Telegraph

11-07-2025

It comes after further loose asbestos was discovered at five different locations on the site in the Village area of Belfast on Thursday afternoon.
It is understood Belfast City Council's bonfire panel was informed that the NI Environment Agency (NIEA) had identified further hazardous material during a partial inspection of the site and sources within City Hall described the development as 'extremely worrying' and a 'major public health risk'.
But Rev Mervyn Gibson, the Orange Order's Grand Secretary, said concerns are 'clearly political'.
He told listeners of BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster programme this morning to "go and enjoy themselves" at the bonfire.
"I think it's clear for everybody that the decision that was made was a political decision. This asbestos has been there from 2017," he said.
"I believe the council voted a couple of weeks ago for the bonfire to go ahead. A few days before it then Sinn Féin and Alliance and the SDLP decide to vote against it."
The NIEA has now confirmed approximately 20kg of suspect material was identified at five separate locations around the site and immediately removed.
"The agency was first alerted to the issues around the bonfire on May 16 2025,' said a spokesperson.
"Responsibility for removing the asbestos primarily lies with the landowner. Given the circumstances, an enforcement investigation was initiated, and a direction was issued requiring the landowner to remove the asbestos waste.
"When it became clear that the circumstances did not allow for the safe and controlled removal of the asbestos prior to July 11 2025, NIEA worked with the landowner and Belfast City Council to agree mitigating measures to reduce the risk to public health.'
The organisation said those mitigating measures included plastic sheeting over an asbestos pile weighed down with 'significant quantities of quarry dust, with a layer of fire retardant sheets on top covered by further layer of quarry dust.
Signage has been erected along with double fencing around the affected area.
'In addition to this, further security measures and daily walk-overs of the site have been conducted to inspect, monitor and assess risk,' added the spokesperson.
"The risk assessment that NIEA has provided to partners has consistently indicated that there was a strong possibility that fragments of asbestos could be elsewhere on the site.
"NIEA understand the landowner is due to arrange the removal of all of the asbestos from the site next week, commencing on July 16 2025, but it is important to note that removing the asbestos will be a highly specialised, complex and delicate operation that will require the site to be fully vacated. Indeed, the work of such complexity that the full removal will take a number of weeks.
"In recent days the Minister has been constrained as to what he can say, as he has sought to avoid compromising the ongoing legal action. However, the Minister unequivocally urges the public to exercise caution and common sense in the coming days.
"Staff from the Environmental Crime Unit within NIEA remain in ongoing contact with Belfast City Council and the landowner and the enforcement investigation continues.'
It comes after police confirmed they would not be assisting in the removal of material from the site.
It is understood that plans were afoot for contractors to move in overnight to remove the pyre following a majority vote at Belfast City Council (BCC). However this was deemed 'unviable' due to tensions on the ground.
Sinn Féin, Alliance, SDLP and Green Party representatives backed the plan, while the DUP did not.
City Hall sources told this newspaper on Thursday that the current assessment is that bonfire will go ahead on Friday night.
It's understood that bonfire builders have voluntarily removed tiers of pallets from the top of the pyre as an "olive branch" to critics.
Police had previously declared a major incident over the removal of the bonfire, but said the the decision not to assist had been taken following 'comprehensive engagement' with all stakeholders.
'Following comprehensive engagement with all relevant stakeholders, an evidence based assessment, and taking into consideration all of the risks associated with the removal, we have determined that police should not assist the proposed actions of Belfast City Council,' said a spokesperson.
'After receiving a formal request for assistance from Belfast City Council the Police Service of Northern Ireland chaired a multi-agency Tactical Coordination Group meeting on Wednesday evening.
'Amongst those present were the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Northern Ireland Electricity, Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and Belfast City Council.
'During this multi-agency meeting all partners considered the environmental risks associated with the asbestos on the site, the risks related to the electricity sub-station as well as the risks to public safety on a site occupied by members of the public, including children.
'The consensus of the meeting was that the risk of the bonfire proceeding as planned was lower and more manageable than the intervention of contractors and the proposed methodology of dismantling the bonfire.
'The Police Service will continue to work with partners and communities to manage the remaining risks surrounding this bonfire.'
Belfast City Council has acknowledged the police response.
"Party group leaders have also been made aware of the PSNI's position,' added a spokesperson.
"The council remains concerned about the presence of asbestos on the site and has continued to raise these concerns with NIEA.
"We have asked NIEA for information on their next steps, and we are seeking assurances in relation to the protection of public health.
"The council will also continue to work with NIEA, as the lead agency, and the landowner in relation to this site.'
Bonfire built beside south Belfast substation
In a statement on social media, Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said: 'I am working with the range of local agencies and with our local DUP reps on the ground in relation to expressed concerns on the south Belfast bonfire near Broadway.
'Those using this issue as a political football should step back and allow the space for discussions and work to continue.'
The towering structure sparked concerns that it could put the power supply to the City Hospital and the Royal Victoria Hospital at risk due to its proximity to an electricity substation.
In addition, hazardous asbestos material on the site near the Westlink is a potential risk to human health.
Within hours of the Council's vote, police declared a major incident over the bonfire and crowds gathered at the site, with entrances to the site being blocked.
A joint statement issued on behalf of paramilitaries in south Belfast also warned of the possibility of 'serious and sustained disorder'.
"PSNI have been advised of the risk of widespread disorder, with loyalists in other areas across NI staging interface riots to stretch the PSNI,' they said.
"The police have been told there is a very real prospect of serious and sustained disorder should there be any effort to remove the bonfire.'
Meanwhile, a legal challenge taken by loyalist activist Jamie Bryson over the Council's suspension of the call-in mechanism following the bonfire vote was adjourned by the High Court until September.
The case was one of two before the judge, with the other challenging the siting of the south Belfast pyre.
In Mr Bryson's case, Mr Justice O'Hara also queried why DUP councillors had not taken the action.