Latest news with #July12th
Irish Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
NI firefighters deal with ‘challenging night' ahead of July 12th parades
Firefighters in Northern Ireland said they dealt with a challenging night as bonfires were lit ahead of the July 12th celebrations. Tens of thousands will take to the streets across the North for the traditional Orange Order parades on Saturday. The events 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 on Thursday and Friday nights. READ MORE 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 rap band Kneecap and Irish flags were also burned on other pyres. 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. [ Politics 'Isn't it brilliant' a mother says, photographing her children at the bonfire topped with an effigy of a migrant boat Opens in new window ] 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. [ Opinion Some see July 12th bonfires as sectarian. For others, they're about social cohesion Opens in new window ] NIFRS area commander Andy Burns said: 'Between 6pm 11 July and 2am 12 July 2025, we received 277 emergency 999 calls. '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,' he said. 'Disappointingly, a firefighter was attacked while attending a bonfire in Lisburn. They were not injured and remained on duty. 'This was an isolated incident and not reflective of the support shown to firefighters in carrying out their duties across the evening.' Firefighters work to protect an electricity sub station as a bonfire burns at Meridi Street, off the Donegall Road in Belfast. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire 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. 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. 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. '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,' he said. '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. - PA
Extra.ie
4 days ago
- Politics
- Extra.ie
'Kill local Kneecap' poster appears on 12th of July fire in North
Posters depicting Irish rap group Kneecap and Palestinian flags have appeared on July 12th bonfires in Northern Ireland. A bonfire in Eastvale Avenue, in Dungannon, Co. Tyrone, features the group on a poster with the words 'Kill Your Local Kneecap', seemingly in response to a clip from a gig in 2023, which appeared to show a member saying: 'The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.' Meanwhile, the burning of a separate bonfire on Thursday in Co. Tyrone, which was topped with an effigy of migrants in a boat, drew further condemnation. Kneecap. Pic: James Veysey/Shutterstock (15371539dt) Controversy has surrounded the Belfast bonfire at Meridi Street, off Donegall Road, close to an electricity substation which powers two hospitals. The Police Service of Northern Ireland said on Thursday that the force would not agree to a request from Belfast City Council to remove the pyre. Later, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) said an inspection had taken place at the site. A statement said: 'The Northern Ireland Environment Agency can confirm that fragments of suspected asbestos were found at five locations around the site. 'Approximately 20kg of suspect material was identified and was immediately removed.' Bonfires in Northern Ireland in recent years. Pic: Liam McBurney/PA Wire Northern Ireland environment minister Andrew Muir, an Alliance Party MLA, told the BBC, 'There are many ways to celebrate, but not at this site'. 'Personally, I respect how important the 11th and 12th is, I understand its importance, but I'd plead with people to exercise caution and not to light this bonfire if they could. The removal of asbestos is very complex and delicate; it requires the site to be completely vacated. The site has not been vacated, and that's one of the important issues.' Dr Alan Stout, chair of the British Medical Association's Northern Ireland Council, urged people to stay away from the site. PSNI Headquarters. Pic:Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan accused the DUP of political cowardice. He also urged people to stay away from the bonfire site. 'It's clear that this site is completely contaminated with asbestos – it beggars belief,' he said. Hundreds of bonfires were due to be lit last night ahead of the Orange Order's July 12 parades today. The traditional fires are lit ahead of the main date in the parading calendar of Protestant loyal orders, the Twelfth of July. While most bonfires pass off without incident, several have become the focus of contention due to the placing of flags, effigies and election posters on the structures before they are ignited. A small number of bonfires were lit on Thursday night, including a controversial pyre in Moygashel, Co. Tyrone, which had been widely criticised by political representatives and church leaders after it was topped with an effigy of migrants in a boat. Before the fire was lit, the PSNI said they were investigating a hate incident in relation to the fire. The boat on top of the bonfire contained more than a dozen lifesized mannequins wearing life jackets. Below the boat were several placards, one saying: 'Stop the boats', and another saying: 'Veterans before refugees.' Ahead of the fire being lit, the PSNI said they were investigating a hate incident. Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew said the bonfire 'was clearly intended to dehumanise people who come to our island seeking a better life'. He added: 'The effigies and displays were abhorrent, driven by vile, far-right and racist attitudes. I welcome that police are treating this as a hate incident. Diversity, inclusion and equality must always triumph over xenophobia and hate.'
BreakingNews.ie
4 days ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Firefighters deal with ‘challenging night' ahead of July 12th Orange Order parades
Firefighters in Northern Ireland said they dealt with a challenging night as bonfires were lit ahead of the July 12th celebrations. 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: — 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.
