Firefighters deal with ‘challenging night' as fire fighter attacked ahead of Orange Order parades
Tens of thousands will take to the streets across the region for the traditional Orange Order parades on Saturday.
Advertisement
3
Fire crews in Northern Ireland had a challenging night last night
Credit: REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne
3
A bonfire was set alight in Moygashel, County Tyrone
Credit: Brrian Lincoln/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock
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 the Irish rap band
Advertisement
READ MORE IN NEWS
But the most contentious bonfire was located on a site containing asbestos and close to an electricity sub station off the Donegall Road in south Belfast.
The Northern Ireland
One firefighter was attacked while attending a bonfire in Lisburn, Co
NIFRS area commander Andy Burns said: "Between 6pm 11 July and 2am 12 July 2025, we received 277 emergency 999 calls.
Advertisement
Most read in The Irish Sun
Exclusive
"This resulted in our firefighters attending 194 operational incidents, 72 of which were bonfire 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."
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.
POLICING
More than 4,000 police officers and police staff will be working on July 12.
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 £6.1 million last year, a figure that was up £1.5 million on the previous year.
The bill, which covers the period April 1 to August 31, 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.
Advertisement
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.
'KEEP PEOPLE SAFE'
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.
Advertisement
"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 12 often resulting in violent scenes.
Meanwhile, the traditional July 13 events organised by the Royal Black Preceptory in the village of Scarva, Co Armagh will take place on Monday.
Advertisement
The event includes a parade as well as a sham fight between actors playing rival monarchs William and James.
3
Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service tackled a gorse blaze in the Belfast Hills
Credit: Rebecca Black/PA Wire
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
29 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Prudent' Budget alert amid Trump threat as Government axe boosts of €1k per worker AND double Child Benefit in doubt
BUDGET 2026 must be "sensible and prudent" as Ireland faces into Donald Trump's 30 per cent tariff threats, a group has said. Taoiseach has already of Budget 2025's whilst Finance Minister Pachal Donohoe said October's budget will be "more normal". Advertisement 4 Ireland's Minister for Finance Jack Chambers, and Ireland's Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe after unveiling Budget 2025 Credit: REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne 4 Taoiseach Micheal Martin has ruled out a repeat of Budget 2025 Credit: Niall Carson/PA Wire And The Irish Times this morning reported that Budget boosts worth up to €1,000 per worker have been dropped from October's plans. Government leaders have agreed on the complete elimination of one-off payments such as energy credits, double welfare and Child Benefit double boosts. The one-off cash boosts have benefited the average worker by about €1,000 each. previously admitted that they are or taxation decisions in Budget 2026 that "create new risks". Advertisement READ MORE IN MONEY Business group IBEC urged the government to take a "measured and strategic" approach to the budget later this year, calling for targeted investment in areas that enhance productivity and competitiveness. Ibec said a Budget package of €3 billion - including €1.3 billion in additional infrastructure spending under the National Development Plan - is "appropriate for Budget 2026". The lobby group warned that tariffs "post a serious threat to Irish business" and said the economic model Ireland has relied on for the past five decades is under serious strain. US President Donald Trump Advertisement Most read in Money Ibec's Executive Director of Lobbying and Influence told RTE Budget 2026 will predominately focus on the "stress and pressure" in our traded economy and the uncertainty of a potential global trade war. 'Trump's new tariffs are outrageous', slams EU lawmaker after Don slaps 30% on Brussels & it readies to fight back Fergal O'Brien said if the 30 per cent tariff did become a reality, "it will be extremely damaging". He said Ibec members also have "a lot of concerns" about what countermeasures will be introduced by the EU. Minister Donohoe said the balance has to be struck between spending , keeping public finances safe and spending money on immediate needs in Budget 2026. Advertisement He said: "Every single budget that a Government brings forward and that the previous Government brought forward does find different ways of helping with cost of living challenges within our society. "But we do have to get the balance right. "We are also living in very uncertain times - we have to be careful with our public finances. We also need to find ways that we can invest more in our future." BUDGET 2025'S ONCE-OFF LUMP SUMS The Budget 2025 package - the Advertisement It included two double payments handed out before Christmas, €400 extra for carers and €300 for those on Budget 2025 also provided an additional October cost-of-living double payment as well as the usual social welfare Christmas bonus. However, the State has ruled out another budget bonanza filled with once-off lump sums, electricity credits and tax cuts. Calls have been made for all weekly core rates to rise by €25 and for a to monthly Child Benefit cas h in Budget 2025. Advertisement But instead, the government confirmed it is focusing on a more targeted approach. CHILD SUPPORT INCREASE DEMAND The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul today Rose McGowan, SVP National President, said over 45,000 more children across Ireland are now living in consistent poverty. She said: "These are not abstract statistics – they represent children growing up in cold bedrooms, going to school hungry, and missing out on the social and educational experiences that are fundamental to a healthy childhood. Advertisement 'We know from our experience on the frontline that the right policy choices do make a difference – we saw it with the introduction of free schoolbooks and hot school meals. "Budget 2026 must continue that momentum, with targeted structural reforms to ensure adequate incomes and real pathways out of poverty." Social Justice Ireland has also called for the for families, urging the government to increase Child Benefit by €50 and increase Child Support Payments by €6 and €15. BUDGET 2026 PROPOSALS THE Society of Saint Vincent de Paul has called for an increase in child supports, living alone and disability payments in Budget 2026. The charity said temporary, one-off cost-of-living payments from the government provided critical short-term relief in recent years but targeted supports will give "support where it's most needed". It has proposed a number of items for Budget 2026: Increase and Index-Link the Income Disregard for One-Parent Family Payment and Jobseeker's Transitional Payment Make childcare affordable by increasing the subsidy and threshold for the National Childcare Scheme Ensure every child in emergency accommodation has access to a child support worker Continue roll out of free hot school meals to all children and ensure ongoing evaluation of nutritional content Increase provision of social housing stock and affordable cost rental homes Introduce a homeless prevention budget amounting to 20 per cent of all homeless expenditure Provide capital funding to address the long-term accommodation needs for those in direct provision with status to remain Allocate €10 million to establish local, publicly run Early Childhood, Education and Care services Make our state education system truly free by removing costs and charges to families including mock exam and correction fees, electronic devices and school uniforms Benchmark SUSI grants and reckonable income levels against the cost of living Increase Fuel Allowance by €9.50 per week Extend the Fuel Allowance to recipients of the working Family Payment Pilot a community energy advice service. Increase funding to the Waiting List Initiative to clear the waiting list and backlog for the Assessment of Need process Allocate sufficient funding to fully implement the National Therapy Service in mainstream education settings Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary has already confirmed his department is "working on" a Advertisement However, the Fianna Fail TD has A The €140 flat payment would still be paid to everyone, regardless of income. JOB LOSS FEAR Social Justice Ireland has also said the payment rate of aged 18 and 24 should be increased to the full adult rate. Advertisement But Tanaiste He indicated that the Government may Harris today confirmed that Trump's Speaking on his way into Government Buildings this morning, Harris said: "We're going to have to pull together in the hours and days ahead as we try to navigate our way through the latest scenario in relation to trade tariffs." Advertisement Ibec today warned that Ireland needs to make the right choices to safeguard our competitiveness and ability to attract and retain business. Ibec's Chief Economist and Head of National Policy, Gerard Brady, told RTE: "That means investing in productivity focused areas like infrastructure and committing to continue that investment regardless of the economic climate." 4 Tanaiste Simon Harris is hoping to negotiate with the US on tariffs Credit: Cillian Sherlock/PA Wire 4 Budget 2026 is expected to have a more targeted approach than last year's spending Credit: Getty Images - Getty Advertisement
Irish Post
an hour ago
- Irish Post
Mary Lou McDonald calls Northern Ireland setup ‘not economically viable'
SINN Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has renewed calls for a referendum on Irish unity within the next five years, arguing that partition is the root cause of Northern Ireland's economic problems. Speaking on Good Morning Britain, McDonald described the region as 'not economically viable' in its current form and said the North is 'cut off from its natural political, social and economic hinterland.' She brought up the rise in economic growth across the island since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, claiming that the value of the all-Ireland economy has multiplied sixfold since then. When questioned about the substantial financial support, £18bn for 2025/26, that Northern Ireland receives from the British government, McDonald claimed that a small island like Ireland makes no economic sense being divided. McDonald's comments come at a time of increased speculation about her political future, with recent statements leaving open the possibility that she will run for the Irish presidency after previously ruling herself out of this year's contest. She described Sinn Féin's presidential plans as 'a moving picture.' However, her vision for reunification faces resistance from the current Irish government. Tánaiste Simon Harris, speaking during his first official visit to Stormont earlier this year, downplayed the likelihood of a border poll during the current government. Although Fine Gael, Harris's party, has recently moved from seeing Irish unity as a mere aspiration to an official objective, Harris insisted that it is not his priority. He stressed the importance of fulfilling Ireland's role as co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement by ensuring the effective functioning of Stormont. According to Harris, all Irish political leaders aspire to a united Ireland, but he does not expect a referendum to happen soon or even within the next five years. Sinn Féin continues to push for formal planning for a border poll, anticipating it will take place before the end of the decade. Public sentiment on the question of unity remains divided. Recent polling indicates growing support for reunification, particularly among younger voters in Northern Ireland, but a majority remains elusive. Estimates vary widely on the cost of unification, one research paper by the Institute of International and European Affairs tank put the cost at €20bn every year for 20 years, although other experts claim the true figure is far lower.
Irish Post
an hour ago
- Irish Post
Historic moment as Tánaiste welcomes Brazilian Foreign Minister to Ireland
TÁNAISTE Simon Harris has held an historic meeting with Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira in Dublin. Mr Vieira's trip celebrated 50 years of diplomatic ties between the two nations and marked the first official visit of a Brazilian foreign minister to Ireland. Tánaiste Simon Harris has held an historic meeting with Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira in Dublin (Pic: 'I was delighted to welcome Minister Vieira to Ireland, especially as we celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties, a milestone highlighting the depth of our relationship,' Mr Harris said. The pair discussed bilateral relations, relations between the European Union and the Latin America and Caribbean region, and wider global challenges, a spokesperson for Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs explained. 'I expressed Ireland's support for Brazil's upcoming presidency of COP30 and welcomed its leadership in global climate effort,' Mr Harris said. 'Ireland will contribute €15 million to the Brazilian government's Amazon Fund starting in 2025,' he added. 'I also recognised the valuable contribution of the Brazilian community to Irish society.' While in Ireland, Minister Vieira will pay a courtesy call on President Higgins in Áras an Uachtaráin and also meet with the Brazil-Ireland Parliamentary Friendship Group in Leinster House.
