Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Bonfire builders’ threats to Derry Wall
Graffiti threat by republican youths to attack iconic site in bonfire row
A SHADOWY republican group has threatened to tear down the iconic Free Derry Wall if its bonfire wood is confiscated.
The message scrawled on the wall by Bogside Republican Youth has sparked widespread anger in Derry.
Ahead of the pyre that is scheduled for tomorrow night, it read: “If the wood goes the wall goes.” There was also a threat painted on the wall itself stating ‘Take our wood? We’re prepared are you? That was signed BRY.
The graffiti on the wall has since been painted over.
This escalation in the bonfire dispute comes after talks aimed at making the bonfire part of the locally run Gasyard Feile broke down over the issue of flags.
According to reports those behind the bonfires refused to give guarantees that they would not place flags on their fire.
Jean Hegarty, the sister of Bloody Sunday victim Kevin Mcelhinney, said it was “absolutely ridiculous” that threats would be made against Free Derry Wall.
She said: “It is time that everyone, parents, community leaders and the like stepped up and gave leadership. It is not good enough for the bonfire people to claim that this is what is done in the Fountain. My mother used to have an old saying, ‘If he stuck his hand in the fire would you?’
“Simply because it is being done somewhere else does not make it right. Burning flags, any flags, and posters is wrong plain and simple and people should catch themselves on.
“Everyone’s flag is entitled to respect and sticking them on a bonfire is not respectful.”
Sinn Fein MLA Raymond Mccartney said: “It has withstood the blows of a million years, and will do so to the end. This is the Bogside, young and old!”
One local resident who has lived beside the wall for many years said those behind the threats should look at their history.
She said: “These people going around making threats are far too young to remember where this wall came from.
“This wall was our symbol of resistance. It was painted in
1969 and has been there ever since. I can remember when the plans were announced to knock it down and we resisted that and we are not going to allow a crowd of young ones damage it.”
Meanwhile, a statement issued by the Irish Republican Prisoner Welfare Association said an agreement had been reached with young people involved in the bonfire.
It added: “There will be no tyres on the fire or electoral placards.”
The IRPWA said it had been “engaging with the youth of the Bogside for many months on this issue”.
They statement added: “It was clear there is a trust issue with the establishment parties/psni. They feel criminalised and marginalised.
“The youth accept anti-social activity around the fire was used by those who are from an anti-bonfire persuasion.
“The talks around the fire broke down around many issues. Again lack of trust and feeling lied to were reasons put forward by the young people. So the youth, as expected, dug their heels in.
“The youth of the Bogside want it made clear that this decision was made with respect for their own community.”
The wall has withstood the blows of a million years and will do so until the end RAYMOND MCCARTNEY MLA DERRY YESTERDAY