Latest news with #PatSheehan


Belfast Telegraph
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
July bonfires: A sectarian safety risk, or a harmless tradition?
The night before, bonfires will be lit across the country - a tradition that began when fires on hillsides were used to signal William of Orange's march from Carrickfergus to the Battle of the Boyne. But a night of tradition and celebration for some is viewed by others as physically dangerous, and in some cases, undeniably sectarian. The tallest bonfire in Northern Ireland is Craigyhill in Larne – standing at over 200 feet. In the same town, a father of two died in 2022 after falling from a different pyre in the Antiville area. Sinn Fein MLA Pat Sheehan has criticised a 'lack of leadership' from unionist politicians after Belfast City Council voted to remove a south Belfast bonfire over concerns around asbestos and disruption to the electrical supply. Paramilitary sources have warned of sustained disorder if the bonfire is removed. Certain bonfires are also infamous for featuring sectarian slogans and controversial effigies, such as this year's pyre at Moygashel, which features an effigy depicting illegal migrants on a boat. To discuss the heated topic, Olivia Peden is joined by Belfast Telegraph Northern Ireland editor Sam McBride, Loyalist activist Moore Holmes, and the chairman of the Schomberg Ulster Scots society in Kilkeel, Gareth Crozier.


Irish Times
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
‘Unthinkable' that Belfast bonfire would go ahead, says Sinn Féin
It is 'unthinkable' that a contentious loyalist bonfire in Belfast would be allowed to go ahead, Sinn Féin has said. Party MLA Pat Sheehan called for 'firm, immediate action' from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) over the pyre in the south of the city which is on a site that contains asbestos and is close to an electricity substation that powers two hospitals. Meanwhile, a Church of Ireland archbishop has described an effigy of migrants in a boat on a separate bonfire in Co Tyrone as 'inhuman and deeply sub-Christian'. Tensions are continuing to smoulder around both of the bonfires that have attracted significant controversy. READ MORE In Belfast, a city council committee voted on Wednesday to send contractors to remove the towering pyre on Meridi Street off the Donegall Road. The PSNI declared it a 'major incident' as the force considers a request from the council to help contractors remove it. Mr Sheehan said the silence from political unionism over the controversy has been 'deafening'. He added: 'They must step up and make it clear they do not support the burning of materials that threaten hospital power supplies and risk releasing asbestos into the air. 'The PSNI must act now to prevent this from escalating. 'Waiting until it's too late is not an option. We need firm, immediate action. This bonfire poses a serious threat to the local community. The Sinn Féin MLA added: 'It is unthinkable that this bonfire could go ahead, endangering lives, damaging property and putting critical infrastructure at risk.' The DUP leader on Belfast City Council, Sarah Bunting, said the council decision was 'foolhardy' and risked increasing tensions with the local community. In a social media post she said: 'The decision to remove the bonfire was made without adequate consultation or consideration of community impact, and we believe it requires further scrutiny. She said the decision is 'political not a health and safety one'. 'It is foolhardy and has ramped tensions up in an area which has suffered considerably from interface problems,' she said. A PSNI spokesperson said on Wednesday that a tactical coordination group has been established with multi-agency partners to ensure joint understanding and to comprehensively assess all of the risks associated with the request to assist contractors on the site. 'No decision has been taken at this stage and we continue to work with our partner agencies and community representatives on this matter,' the spokesperson added. Meanwhile, there have been calls to remove effigies of migrants in a boat that have been placed on a loyalist bonfire in Moygashel on the outskirts of Dungannon in Co Tyrone. The boat containing more than a dozen life-sized mannequins wearing life jackets was unveiled on top of the bonfire. Below the boat are several placards, one stating: 'stop the boats', and another: 'veterans before refugees'. A model of a small boat with several figures depicting migrants inside can be seen on top of a loyalist bonfire on Thursday in Moygashel, United Kingdom. Photograph Charles McQuillan/ Getty Images Overnight, an Irish tricolour flag was also placed on top of the bonfire, which is scheduled to be lit on Thursday night. Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland John McDowell described the effigy as 'racist, threatening and offensive'. He added: 'It certainly has nothing whatsoever to do with Christianity or with Protestant culture and is in fact inhuman and deeply sub-Christian. 'I hope that the many people from other countries, who live in that area, and who contribute so much to the economy and to the diversity of Dungannon, can be reassured that it does not in any way represent the feeling of the vast majority of their neighbours.' There are around 300 bonfires set to be lit across Thursday and Friday night ahead of the Orange Order's July 12th parades on Saturday. The traditional fires are lit ahead of the main date in the parading calendar of Protestant loyal orders, the Twelfth Of July. While most of the 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. —PA


The Guardian
10-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Failure to tear down Belfast bonfire will be victory for mob rule, warns Sinn Féin
Police in Northern Ireland will be giving into 'mob rule' if they fail to assist with the dismantling of a loyalist bonfire that is believed to pose risks to public health and to energy supplies, Sinn Féin has said. Loyalist paramilitaries warned of disorder if authorities took down the towering pyre on Meridi Street off Donegall Road in Belfast, which is to be lit on Friday night as part of wider loyalist commemorations. On Wednesday a Belfast city council committee voted to send contractors to dismantle the bonfire, which is on a site that contains asbestos and is close to an electricity substation that powers two hospitals. The Police Service of Northern Ireland declared a 'major incident' over the bonfire site and is considering the council's request. A joint statement from south Belfast paramilitary groups warned of a backlash if the pyre was removed. 'PSNI have been advised of the risk of widespread disorder, with loyalists in other areas across NI staging interface riots to stretch the PSNI,' it said. The Sinn Féin assembly member Pat Sheehan urged the police on Thursday to take 'firm, immediate action' to protect public health and critical infrastructure. 'We can't allow mob rule to decide what happens to this bonfire,' he told BBC Radio Ulster. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion Sheehan also urged unionist representatives to 'step up' and condemn the bonfire, which is one of about 300 that will be lit on Thursday and Friday as part of the annual celebration of the victory of King William III's Protestant forces over Catholics at the battle of the Boyne in 1690. Meanwhile, a senior cleric added his voice to condemnation of a separate bonfire, in the County Tyrone village of Moygashel, that features an effigy of a migrant vessel with a dozen mannequins in lifejackets and placards that say 'stop the boats' and 'veterans before refugees'. John McDowell, the Church of Ireland archbishop of Armagh and primate of all Ireland, called the effigy racist and threatening. 'It certainly has nothing whatsoever to do with Christianity or with Protestant culture and is in fact inhuman and deeply sub-Christian. I hope that the many people from other countries, who live in that area … can be reassured that it does not in any way represent the feeling of the vast majority of their neighbours.' An Irish national flag is also on the Moygashel pyre, which is to be lit on Thursday night.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Unthinkable that Belfast bonfire could be allowed to go ahead
It is 'unthinkable' that a contentious loyalist bonfire in Belfast should be allowed to go ahead, Sinn Fein has said. Party MLA Pat Sheehan called for 'firm, immediate action' from the PSNI over the pyre in the south of the city which is on a site which contains asbestos and is close to an electricity substation which powers two hospitals. Meanwhile, a Church of Ireland archbishop has described an effigy of migrants in a boat on a separate bonfire in Co Tyrone as 'inhuman and deeply sub-Christian'. Tensions are continuing to smoulder around both of the bonfires which have attracted significant controversy. In Belfast, a city council committee voted on Wednesday to send contractors to remove the towering pyre on Meridi Street off the Donegall Road. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) declared it a 'major incident' as the force considers a request from the council to help contractors remove it. Mr Sheehan said the silence from political unionism over the controversy had been 'deafening'. He added: 'They must step up and make it clear they do not support the burning of materials that threaten hospital power supplies and risk releasing asbestos into the air. 'The PSNI must act now to prevent this from escalating. 'Waiting until it's too late is not an option. We need firm, immediate action. 'This bonfire poses a serious threat to the local community. 'Two nearby hospitals risk losing electricity, putting patients' lives in danger.' The Sinn Fein MLA added: 'It is unthinkable that this bonfire could go ahead, endangering lives, damaging property and putting critical infrastructure at risk.' 📄 DUP Councillors Submit Call-In on Monarch Street Bonfire Decision Today, the DUP Group on Belfast City Council formally handed a Call-In petition to the Chief Executive regarding the decision to remove the bonfire at Monarch Street. This action has been taken in line with… — Sarah Bunting (@sbunting_) July 10, 2025 The DUP leader on Belfast City Council Sarah Bunting said the council decision was 'foolhardy' and risked increasing tensions with the local community. In a social media post she said: 'The decision to remove the bonfire was made without adequate consultation or consideration of community impact, and we believe it requires further scrutiny. 'This decision is political not a health and safety one. 'It is foolhardy and has ramped tensions up in an area which has suffered considerably from interface problems.' A PSNI spokesperson said on Wednesday that a Tactical Coordination Group had been established with multi-agency partners to ensure joint understanding and to comprehensively assess all of the risks associated with the request to assist contractors on the site. 'No decision has been taken at this stage and we continue to work with our partner agencies and community representatives on this matter,' the spokesperson added. Meanwhile, there have been calls to remove effigies of migrants in a boat that have been placed on a loyalist bonfire in Moygashel on the outskirts of Dungannon in Co Tyrone. The boat containing more than a dozen life-sized mannequins wearing life jackets was unveiled on top of the bonfire. Below the boat are several placards, one stating: 'stop the boats', and another: 'veterans before refugees'. Overnight, an Irish tricolour flag was also placed on top of the bonfire, which is scheduled to be lit on Thursday night. Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland John McDowell described the effigy as 'racist, threatening and offensive'. He added: 'It certainly has nothing whatsoever to do with Christianity or with Protestant culture and is in fact inhuman and deeply sub-Christian. 'I hope that the many people from other countries, who live in that area, and who contribute so much to the economy and to the diversity of Dungannon, can be reassured that it does not in any way represent the feeling of the vast majority of their neighbours.' There are around 300 bonfires set to be lit across Thursday and Friday night ahead of the Orange Order's July 12 parades on Saturday. The traditional fires are lit ahead of the main date in the parading calendar of Protestant loyal orders, the Twelfth Of July. While most of the 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.


BreakingNews.ie
10-07-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Unthinkable that Belfast bonfire could be allowed to go ahead
It is 'unthinkable' that a contentious loyalist bonfire in Belfast should be allowed to go ahead, Sinn Féin has said. Party MLA Pat Sheehan called for 'firm, immediate action' from the PSNI over the pyre in the south of the city which is on a site which contains asbestos and is close to an electricity substation which powers two hospitals. Advertisement Meanwhile, a Church of Ireland archbishop has described an effigy of migrants in a boat on a separate bonfire in Co Tyrone as 'inhuman and deeply sub-Christian'. Tensions are continuing to smoulder around both of the bonfires which have attracted significant controversy. Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan has called for firm action over the Belfast bonfire (Brian Lawless/PA) In Belfast, a city council committee voted on Wednesday to send contractors to remove the towering pyre on Meridi Street off the Donegall Road. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) declared it a 'major incident' as the force considers a request from the council to help contractors remove it. Advertisement Mr Sheehan said the silence from political unionism over the controversy had been 'deafening'. The bonfire in Belfast has attracted significant controversy (Jonathan McCambridge/PA) He added: 'They must step up and make it clear they do not support the burning of materials that threaten hospital power supplies and risk releasing asbestos into the air. 'The PSNI must act now to prevent this from escalating. 'Waiting until it's too late is not an option. We need firm, immediate action. Advertisement 'This bonfire poses a serious threat to the local community. 'Two nearby hospitals risk losing electricity, putting patients' lives in danger.' The Sinn Féin MLA added: 'It is unthinkable that this bonfire could go ahead, endangering lives, damaging property and putting critical infrastructure at risk.' A PSNI spokesperson said on Wednesday that a Tactical Coordination Group had been established with multi-agency partners to ensure joint understanding and to comprehensively assess all of the risks associated with the request to assist contractors on the site. Advertisement 'No decision has been taken at this stage and we continue to work with our partner agencies and community representatives on this matter,' the spokesperson added. A display on the bonfire in Moygashel, Co Tyrone (Jonathan McCambridge/PA) Meanwhile, there have been calls to remove effigies of migrants in a boat that have been placed on a loyalist bonfire in Moygashel on the outskirts of Dungannon in Co Tyrone. The boat containing more than a dozen life-sized mannequins wearing life jackets was unveiled on top of the bonfire. Below the boat are several placards, one stating: 'stop the boats', and another: 'veterans before refugees'. Overnight, an Irish tricolour flag was also placed on top of the bonfire, which is scheduled to be lit on Thursday night. Advertisement Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland John McDowell described the effigy as 'racist, threatening and offensive'. He added: 'It certainly has nothing whatsoever to do with Christianity or with Protestant culture and is in fact inhuman and deeply sub-Christian. 'I hope that the many people from other countries, who live in that area, and who contribute so much to the economy and to the diversity of Dungannon, can be reassured that it does not in any way represent the feeling of the vast majority of their neighbours.' There are around 300 bonfires set to be lit across Thursday and Friday night ahead of the Orange Order's July 12th parades on Saturday. The traditional fires are lit ahead of the main date in the parading calendar of Protestant loyal orders, the Twelfth Of July. While most of the 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.