Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Tensions simmer over the Twelfth
Foster slams sectarian banners Police are attacked by rioters
FIRST Minister Arlene Foster has slammed “offensive” sectarian banners displayed on some Eleventh Night bonfires.
Many of the gatherings were significantly smaller than usual due to Covid-19 restrictions but crowds in excess of 30 people were witnessed at some pyres.
Sectarian banners and images were photographed on several bonfires with many targeting IRA veteran Bobby Storey.
Speaking on the BBC’S Sunday Politics programme, Mrs Foster said she regrets some people did not follow advice to stay at home. She said: “I regret some people did not take that course of action. I do condemn the violence we have seen on our screens from North Belfast.
“I also say to those who are putting sectarian and offensive messages on bonfires that they really need to take a look at themselves and ask themselves what sort of Northern Ireland do they want to live in?
“Do they want to live in a Northern Ireland where everyone is entitled to proudly celebrate their culture and their identity? Or do they want to live in a split Northern Ireland?
“I know certainly the one in which I want to live in. It’s one where we can all proudly celebrate, but do so in a way that not offensive and not sectarian. It is important to remember why we have the socially distanced guidelines in place.
“They are there to protect the community, our family, our elderly relatives, and people need to remember that. I am appealing to people to celebrate the Twelfth, absolutely. But to do so at home in a way that protects our community.”
Deputy First Minister Michelle O’neill also spoke out against the sectarian signs and banners.
She said: “Political unionism must do more to challenge and confront the toxic issue of anti-social bonfires.
“These fires are not only detrimental to the environment, but also to community relations. Sectarianism has absolutely no place in our society and must be rooted out.”
The Daily Mirror asked the PSNI if they are investigating the banners.
Supt Lorraine Dobson said: “We are aware of imagery on social media platis
forms and we are making enquiries.” She also hit out after youths in North Belfast “attacked” police officers on Saturday night with petrol bombs.
She added: “It is extremely disappointing we saw such disorder on our streets where our police officers once again came under attack from youths throwing petrol bombs.
“Just after 5pm, we responded to a report that a crowd of youths were starting to gather on North Queen Street, some of whom were armed with bottles.
“Officers from Tactical Support Group were deployed.
“Throughout the evening, petrol bombs were thrown at police, including on Queens Parade and New Lodge Road.
“As officers attempted to engage with youths, they came under attack from youths, some of whom were masked, who threw bottles and masonry.
“Damage has been caused to a number of our vehicles but, thankfully, none of our officers were injured.
“We are again appealing to young people who are involved in this type of criminal and anti-social behaviour to stop. You need to realise the consequences of your actions, and the impact it has on the community.
“I would also appeal to parents and guardians of young people to please ensure you know where your young people are, who they are with and what they are doing.
“I would also appeal to those in the community to use their influence to ensure we do not see a repeat of this senseless activity we have witnessed over the last two nights again in the area.
“We will deploy the necessary resources to detect and deter those responsible in a proportionate manner. We will seek to gather evidence to bring those responsible before the courts, whether through evidence gathering or arrests.
“I want to reassure the community that we will continue to work with local representatives, partner agencies and members of the community to prevent any further disorder.”
A Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service spokesman said its crews were much less busy than the same period last year He added: “Between 6pm 11 July and 1am 12 July, NIFRS responded to 24 bonfire related incidents.
“This represents a decrease of 29.5% on last year’s total for the same period.
“NIFRS can confirm there were no attacks on fire service personnel or appliances at any of the above incidents.
“Overall, for the above period, NIFRS received a total of 135 emergency calls and attended 92 operational incidents, including vehicle fires, special service calls, gorse and other types of emergency incidents.”