Someone is going to get seriously injured or killed if the use of illegal fireworks continues in Derry.
That's the message from a local community group, Community Restorative Justice (CRJ), who are urging the public to be more mindful of the dangers involved with the misuse of fireworks.
The warning comes after young people in the city were been accused of posting fireworks through letterboxes, kicking in doors, and running off in a surge of anti-social behaviour.
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CRJ have been rolling out fireworks safety workshops across the city to help raise awareness of the potentially harmful consequences that they can have if not properly supervised and managed.
“Fireworks are no joke,” CRJ coordinator Eamon Mc Ginley said. "Fireworks are dangerous and their misuse can have catastrophic consequences and cause life-changing injuries or even death to anyone unfortunate enough to be affected.”
“As we near the Halloween holidays, we have seen the annual upsurge in the misuse of fireworks across the city.”
“Unfortunately, this has involved incidents where fireworks have been put through people’s letterboxes, fireworks being thrown directly at people and motorists, and fireworks being let off in estates, causing fear and concern among residents.”
“We are working with community organisations and youth clubs to help get the message directly to the young people of the reality involved with misusing these devices.”
“It isn’t just a bit of craic. There is the potential of someone being seriously maimed or killed if one of these fireworks explodes at the wrong time.”
“We would urge those involved to think about this and make the right choices for themselves and their community.”
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