Latest news with #12thofJuly
The Journal
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Journal
Nationalist bonfire builders urged to remove hateful messages from pyres
A CATHOLIC BISHOP and former SDLP leader have called for nationalist bonfire builders in Derry to stay away from burning flags or placing offensive symbols on pyres that are due to be lit this evening. The organisers of nationalist bonfires in Derry also faced calls to remove the names of individuals that were written on materials set to be burnt, including the name of former PSNI officer John Caldwell who suffered an attempted murder. Bonfires have been built in several nationalist areas of Northern Ireland this month and are due to be set alight tonight. Bonfires are not as significant an occurrence in nationalist areas as they are in unionist areas for the 12th of July, but are sometimes built in August for the Feast of the Assumption and to mark the anniversary of the introduction of internments without trial in August of 1971. A pyre built in Creggan included a placard with several names, including John Caldwell, a police officer who was shot in 2023 while off duty and suffered serious injuries, and Kyle Bonnes, who was a 15-year-old teenage boy who died in a drowning incident in 2010. SDLP MLA Mark Durkan, the nationalist party's former leader, has urged bonfire builders in the Bogside and Creggan areas to remove offensive items from the pyres before they are set alight this evening. 'The appearance of a large number of flags on the Bogside and Creggan bonfires ahead of them being lit on Friday evening is really disappointing. We have to call this out for what it is, it's wrong when flags and emblems are burnt on bonfires in July and it's wrong in August too,' Durkan said. Advertisement In a statement, he said that he visited the Bogside bonfire site a couple of weeks ago and engaged with some of the young people involved in its construction. 'It was clear that they took enormous pride in their involvement and I wish we could harness the effort and application that they have put into this into something more positive,' Durkan said. 'I attempted to explain to them the futility of burning flags and emblems and the hurt that can cause,' he said. 'I again appeal for all of these flags and symbols to be removed from both bonfires. Far from being a celebration of culture, these bonfires are turning into nothing more than an opportunity to poke the other community in the eye. 'That gets us absolutely nowhere and leaves us trapped in a cycle that is holding this place and our young people back.' Catholic Bishop of Derry Dónal McKeown has made a similar appeal to move away from using bonfires as tools of hatred. In an interview on BBC Radio , he said that the bonfires are being used to 'exploit fear and anger'. He said he recognises that many young people experience 'a lot of pain and distress' in their lives and that the 'question is how do we deal with that', but added that a bonfire that would 'encourage anger' is not the answer. The bishop said that 'nothing beautiful grows in an angry head' and that 'those who are helping young people to be angry are not doing them any favours'. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Extra.ie
11-07-2025
- Extra.ie
PSNI seal off an area of South Belfast
Police in the North have evacuated a number of homes in the Dunmurry area of South Belfast after the discovery of a 'suspicious device' at a house in the area. A public safety operation is in place in the Colinvale area of the town and the PSNI have sealed off the surrounding roads. People are being asked to avoid the area and to use alternative routes in and around Dunmurry, while the alert is in place. Photo: Getty. This comes just a day before the traditional 12th of July commemorations are due to take place. Tens of thousands of people are expected to line the streets for the annual 12th of July Orange parades across Northern Ireland on Saturday. Historically the event memorialises the Protestant King William III's victory over Catholic King James II at the Battle of the Boyne in County Meath in July 1690. BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND – JULY 12: Members of the Orange Order and their supporters take part in the Twelfth of July parade in Belfast – (Photo by Jeff) According to the Belfast Telegraph newspaper, Bands and marchers will take to the streets at 19 locations across the North on Saturday to mark the 334th anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne. Dundonald will host a Twelfth demonstration for the first time in more than 50 years, as it has been named among the venues for this year's Twelfth of July celebrations. It will join 18 other venues across Northern Ireland including Belfast, Ballymena, Kesh, Coleraine, Keady Coagh, Sixmilecross, Augher, Dromara, Dundrum, Kilkeel, Cullybackey, Rasharkin, Carnlough, Lisburn, Glengormley and Maghera.
Extra.ie
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Extra.ie
Tyrone bonfire with 'hateful' migrant boat effigy on top set alight
A controversial bonfire in Co Tyrone that was topped with an effigy of a migrant boat has been set alight ahead of the 12th of July celebrations. The pyre, which was built in the Moygashel area on the outskirts of Dungannon in Tyrone, saw an effigy of a boat of migrants with a sign that said 'stop the boats' on it, with the PSNI claiming that they were investigating the bonfire as a 'hate incident.' The bonfire was also topped off with an Irish tricolour flag, and burned down ahead of the annual 12th of July parades by the Orange Order. A controversial bonfire in Co Tyrone that was topped with an effigy of a migrant boat has been set alight ahead of the 12th of July celebrations. Pic: Jonathan McCambridge/PA Wire/PA Image The display has been condemned by political representatives across the Northern Irish spectrum, with Archbishop and Primate of All Ireland John McDowell of the Church of Ireland calling the bonfire 'racist, threatening and offensive.' Amnesty International's Northern Ireland Director Patrick Corrigan also condemned the bonfire, calling it a 'vile, dehumanising act that fuels hatred and racism.' Loyalist spokesperson Jamie Bryson defended it, however, saying that the bonfires are a combination of 'artistic protest with their cultural celebration.' The bonfire was then topped with an Irish tricolour, and burned down on Thursday night. Pic: Niall Carson/PA Wire/PA Images 'Their yearly art has itself become a tradition,' he wrote on Twitter (X). 'This year the focus is on the scandal of mass illegal immigration.' Previous iterations of the Moygashel bonfires include having police cars on top of the pyres, as well as a boat that depicted the post-Brexit Irish Sea border. The PSNI have said that they were investigating the bonfire as a hate crime, saying in a since deleted statement 'Police are investigating this hate incident. Police are here to help those who are or who feel vulnerable, to keep people safe.' The bonfire was reported to the PSNI as a hate crime. Pic: Jonathan McCambridge/PA Wire 'We do this by working with local communities, partners, elected representatives and other stakeholders to deliver local solutions to local problems, building confidence in policing and supporting a safe environment for people to live, work, visit and invest in Northern Ireland, but we can only do so within the legislative framework that exists.'
Scottish Sun
07-07-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
Tesco orders probe amid claims pallets used in loyalist bonfire in Northern Ireland came from Scots distribution centre
The supermarket giant has asked its pallet supplier to probe whether pallets from a depot in Livingston were used to build the bonfire BONFIRE FRIGHT Tesco orders probe amid claims pallets used in loyalist bonfire in Northern Ireland came from Scots distribution centre TESCO has ordered a probe amid claims that wooden pallets from one of its suppliers are being used to build a massive loyalist bonfire in Northern Ireland. The towering structure in the Craigyhill area of Larne is set to be lit in the coming days. 2 Tesco has asked for a probe amid claims pallets from one of its suppliers in Scotland have been used to build a huge bonfire in Northern Ireland Credit: Getty Images - Getty 2 The bonfire is built to commemorate the the Battle of the Boyne Credit: Reuters But the supermarket giant has asked its pallet supplier to probe whether pallets from a depot in Livingston were used to build the bonfire. It is understood that Chep provides wooden pallets for transporting goods from Tesco distribution hubs to stores. A lorry was involved in delivering blue pallets to the Craigyhill site, according to The Irish News. A Tesco spokesperson said it has been in communication with its pallet supplier and requested that they investigate. They added that the pallets the company uses are not owned or managed by the supermarket. The massive Craigyhill bonfire is part of the annual 12th of July celebrations, which are held to mark the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. Last year's bonfire reached around 60 metres in height and could be seen from miles around. Cranes are used to hoist pallets onto the upper levels of the bonfire. The structure symbolises the beacons that guided William of Orange's ships into Carrickfergus. The bonfire has caused controversy in recent years, with one man involved in constructing it falling to his death in 2022. Horror moment impatient driver FLIPS car in reckless overtake on Scots road Last year, a parachutist leapt from the top of the structure. Concerns have also been raised over the environmental impact of burning bonfires on such a scale. Chep has been contacted for comment.
The Herald Scotland
07-07-2025
- General
- The Herald Scotland
Tesco probe claim loyalist bonfires are using pallets from Scots depot
The Irish News reports the pallets have been sourced from a distribution centre in Livingston which is used by Tesco. The pallets are not owned or managed by the retailer, but it can be confirmed Tesco has asked the supplier of the pallets – understood to be Chep - to fully investigate the claims and discover how it has happened. Read More The bonfires are built as part of the 12th of July celebrations which take place each year to commemorate the Battle of the Boyne. They are lit on the night of the 11th of July and the bonfire where the pallets are allegedly being used regularly reaches almost 200ft tall. The bonfire where it is alleged the pallets are being used attempted to beat the world record for one last year. Cranes are used to put the pallets in place because of the height but the bonfires in Northern Ireland are often controversial. They are often lit with pictures of republican politicians on, as well as signs with sectarian language. The Herald has contacted both Tesco and Chep for comment.
