Tyres at the site of a controversial bonfire were “dumped” there and have now been removed, organisers say.
In a statement, bonfire builders at the Adam Street site in North Belfast say a “small number of tyres that had been dumped were removed from the bonfire” and “are outside the site ready for collection”.
The statement was issued amid concerns raised by a North Belfast MLA over “toxic material” on the bonfire. The bonfire has been at the centre of some controversy and sits close to an interface with the New Lodge district.
Read more: Public consultation to be held on future of divisive bonfire site at North Belfast interface
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín said “toxic materials including tyres and plastic road barriers have been added to the bonfire at Adam Street/Duncairn Gardens Interface”.
She added: “This is a further retrograde step and could expose residents to dangerous toxins if lit.
“Those involved in building this pyre have moved this bonfire closer to the interface but have now added toxic materials which pose a threat to people’s health and the environment..
“I would appeal for the immediate removal of these toxic materials and for this bonfire to be moved back from the interface.
“The PSNI and the environmental agency have been contacted in relation to the environmental and health and safety aspects of the bonfire.”
However, bonfire builders insist they removed the tyres before the public call was made.
They said: “It is clear nationalists are once again gearing up to ignite tension at our peaceful community celebration. We will not be drawn into this, and will continue building our cultural celebration.”
DUP councillors in the area said they had contacted City Hall to have the tyres removed. Tyres could be seen stacked at a gate at the bonfire site on Monday afternoon.
Councillor Dean McCullough said: “This weekend tyres that were dumped - without permission - at the Adam Street cultural bonfire were removed and stacked outside the site to await collection. I have contacted Belfast City Council to request their removal. This has been done with the full support of the cultural bonfire builders.
“I commend those building the cultural bonfire for their proactive response in removing these unwanted materials, and in not reacting to the politicking of those that represent no one in Tigers Bay.
“It is they who have taken this strategic approach rather than engage in division, and being diverted by those who wish to distract from the long-term goal of securing the regeneration of the site, co-designed and built in consultation with the community. We will continue in our efforts to build a shared city, with genuine equality, respect, and integrity. This means respect for Protestant Unionist Loyalist (PUL) cultural expression, as well as that of other identities.
“We remain open to dialogue, and will use our influence to respect the rights of all, and will particularly defend the human rights engaged on the part of the Bonfire Group. Our objective is to see another peaceful, positive Eleventh Night.”
Belfast Live contacted the Council regarding the collection of the tyres, but they passed the request to the departments of Infrastructure and Communities. The Department for Infrastructure replied that the site now belongs to Invest NI. At the time of publication Invest NI had not responded for comment.
Last July nationalist politicians had called for the removal of the Eleventh Night bonfire, saying homes in the neighbouring New Lodge had come under attack.
But unionist politicians rejected this, insisting it was an expression of culture and accusing nationalist leaders of raising tensions.
A High Court bid by two Stormont ministers to compel the PSNI to assist in removing the bonfire failed after police warned it would create a “real and immediate risk to life”.
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