Latest news with #KyleBonnes
BBC News
6 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Londonderry: Names placed on bonfire 'sickening' says DUP MLA
There has been widespread condemnation after the names of a dead child and a former senior detective, who was shot and seriously injured, appeared on a bonfire in name of retired Det Ch Insp John Caldwell, who was shot in Omagh in February 2023, appeared on a placard placed on the bonfire in the Creggan name of Kyle Bonnes, who was 15 when he died in a drowning incident in Drumahoe, near Derry, in 2010, also appeared on the assembly member Gary Middleton described the offending signs with the names, which BBC News NI understands has since been removed, as "sickening". He said the placing of names, particularly of a dead child, caused "nothing but hurt".Other names that have appeared on the same bonfire include what is understood to be a serving police officer; as well as Billy Wright, the founder of the Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF), who was murdered in 1997; and Sinn Féin assembly member Pádraig to BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme, Middleton said the placing of names or the burning of flags or emblems on any bonfire is "not acceptable," regardless of "where it comes from". He added that these acts are carried out by "a small minority" and must be called out. "Kyle died very tragically in a drowning incident 15 years ago when he was just 15 years old," Middleton told the programme on Wednesday. "That was a very traumatic experience, not only for the Tullyally and Drumahoe communities, but for the wider community as a city - we know the hurt that it caused."When we see that name, alongside the other names of PSNI officers and MLAs as well, it is entirely wrong, and we need to move beyond this race to the bottom, trying to cause the maximum amount of hurt to one side of the community or another." 'Reprehensible action' The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and the Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, condemned the incident. The federation described it as "a reprehensible action by people who are filled with hate and have nothing to offer the wider community".The PSNI said it was aware of material, including drawings of cross-hairs and people's names, being placed on the Commander of Derry City & Strabane, Ch Supt Gillian Kearney, said: "The display of names with cross-hairs is an attempt to intimidate, which is unacceptable.""While we are not the lead agency, we remain committed to working with our partners, including local councils and other public and statutory bodies, as well as community representatives, to address issues linked to bonfires."The police said they would investigate all offences linked to the Caldwell retired from the PSNI in December 2024 on health grounds after he was shot near a leisure centre in Omagh, where he had been coaching youth football. The bonfire in Creggan also carried a sign saying that the Sinn Féin assembly member Pádraig Delargy was "not welcome".In a statement, a Sinn Féin spokesperson said "threats against any elected representatives or anyone are anti-democratic and unacceptable".Pádraig Delargy had described some bonfires in the city as "anti-community".Delargy had also previously condemned the burning of Irish tricolours on a bonfire in the Fountain estate in Derry at the a statement, SDLP assembly member Mark H Durkan said: "Burning the names of police officers, local politicians and especially a young person who tragically lost their life, has nothing to do with cultural celebration and I acknowledge and welcome that some of the most egregious signs appear to have been removed overnight." Why are bonfires being lit? Bonfires on 15 August are traditional in some nationalist parts of Northern Ireland to mark the Catholic Feast of the bonfires are also lit in August to commemorate the introduction of internment without trial of republican suspects during the Troubles, which was introduced by the UK Government in 1971.
ITV News
6 days ago
- Politics
- ITV News
Name of boy who died in tragic incident in Londonderry placed on a Republican bonfire
The name of a 15-year-old boy who died in a drowning tragedy has been placed on a Republican bonfire in Londonderry's Creggan Estate. Kyle Bonnes lost his life in 2010 after getting into difficulties in a river in the Waterside area of the city. Former PSNI Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell, who was shot in a dissident republican attack, is among a number of other names also on the bonfire. Kyle Bonnes sister said it's not the first time Kyle's name has been put on a Republican it's, "deeply upsetting and traumatizing." Police said they "are aware of material, which includes drawings of crosshairs and names of people, placed on the bonfire in Creggan and of images circulating on social media in relation to this. "Enquiries are ongoing and all offences will be investigated accordingly." DUP MLA Gary Middleton said: " When you place the name of a younger child who had died or drowned onto the bonfire, you know, that is deeply sickening."The names of PSNI officers and politicians, that is wrong."We do see these issues arise time and time again, but I think this is clearly a race to the bottom and one which people right across our communities will be disgusted with."It's designed to cause maximum damage, and that's what it will do, and I just urge people to reflect on that and to remove it from the bonfire."The bonfire builders also planned to burn the name of John Caldwell, the former detective Inspector was shot in front of his son near survived the new IRA murder bid but continues to live with around the clock the name of a serving PSNI officer also appear in between two drawings of crosshairs, with symbolic threats described by the Police Federation, as "reprehensible, abhorrent and disgusting."Sinn Fein assembly member Pádraig Delargy, who has spoken out against bonfires in the city, is also on this today Finance Minister John O'Down said: "Pádraig Delargy is a young Republican who's given leadership to his community in relation to bonfires."And he's standing up against those who choose to bring such those materials and bonfires into their society and the harm they caused to society." This controversial bonfire in Creggan is expected to be lit sometime on Friday night. Area Commander of Derry City & Strabane, Chief Superintendent Gillian Kearney said: "The display of names with crosshairs is an attempt to intimidate, which is unacceptable.'While we are not the lead agency, we remain committed to working with our partners, including local councils and other public and statutory bodies, as well as community representatives, to address issues linked to bonfires." Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know.
