Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Bonfire cut down to size by High Court injunction
BELFAST City Council has secured a dramatic injunction against the Department for Infrastructure over a controversial bonfire.
Last night the High Court ruled “immediate steps” must be taken to ensure the Bloomfield Walkway pyre in East Belfast is no more than three metres high – a dramatic reduction from its current size.
It is understood the DFI will today have to ensure bonfire builders remove “all excess materials” from the “immediate vicinity ” of the controversial pyre, which was last year also the subject of a similar High Court injunction.
In a statement, Belfast City Council said Justice Keegan took i nto account elected representative concerns, community fear and apprehension and significant risk to property and life.
It added: “The judge emphasised she hoped the community initiative would continue and the people building the bonfire would see sense.
“The judge also said she will not condone unlawfulness which puts lives and properties at risk.
“Belfast City Council recognises the huge effort made by council officers, councillors, mediators and community representatives in trying to resolve issues around bonfires this year.
“Despite efforts, the bonfire is not
YESTERDAY
at an acceptable safe height within the guidelines of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.
“Council made a f i nal p l e a yesterday evening to the builders to remove surplus material to reduce the threat to life and property.
“We will continue to work and engage with the relevant agencies and local residents over the days.”
SDLP group l eader Cllr Tim Attwood welcomed the ruling.
He said: “This is a significant decision by the High Court who have clearly accepted that the current b bonfire, which is five times the safe height, is a serious and substantial risk to people’s properties and homes.”
The dramatic move follows days of negotiations and media faceoffs between DFI, the council and those mediating on behalf of the bonfire builders – th e East Belfast Community Initiative.
Land on which the Bloomfield Walkway bonfire is built is primarily owned by DFI, however, the council does have infrastructure nearby, including a play park.
PUP councillor Dr John Kyle said yesterday the bonfire was not a “cultural expression” but a “selfindulgent act of recklessness” that the community did not want.
Al l i a n c e c o u n c i l l o r E mmet Mcdonough-brown said his party is concerned about damage not only to resident’s and council property, but also the potential risk to life.