The DUP has refused to nominate anyone for the Derry City & Strabane District Council’s Bonfire Working Group for the second year in a row.
o Coinciding with the decision, dozens of tires have piled up at the Clooney Estate campfire site in the Waterside, an area where the DUP is said to have influence.
Last year, the UUP also initially refused to nominate a representative for the group, but re-enlisted a short time later.
The DUP outlined its stance at the time, saying that the Protestant, Unionist and Loyalist (PUL) community was “annoyed” about a range of issues, including the NI protocol and police, and that people were unhappy that NI’s centenary was “disapproved” used to be. at the municipal level.
Now, at a special council meeting where parties are nominating representatives to various internal and external bodies, the DUP told council chairman, John Kelpie, it wouldn’t be nominating anyone “at this time.”
The municipality established the Working Group Bonfire in 2017.
The aim was to have councilors from different backgrounds representing all political parties to show respect for cultural traditions and respect for the law and each other.
The main objectives of the group are to ensure that bonfires are safe, clean and respectful of people of all backgrounds living in the area.
Close to
The pile of tires by the campfire
The current chairman of the Bonfire Working Group, Independent Councilor Paul Gallagher, said: “Since its inception, the group has always had representatives from all parties.
“We’ve seen a fair amount of success and progress across the board. The DUP’s stance is a bit of a protest around protocol.
“They see this as the erosion of bonfires and an attack on their culture.
“But there is also a lot of positives. We know there will be bonfires, but it’s about making them eco-friendly and as safe as possible and avoiding anti-social behavior before, during and after bonfires.
“It’s also about reducing the impact on local communities. It’s not about zero tolerance for fires.
“In recent years, there has been success in removing tapes and reducing hate crime.”
On the specific issue of tires I added: “It’s not about dropping in and lifting these tires – that never works.
“There has to be dialogue and involvement. Everyone should understand that when you burn a tire it is so hot that the toxins go up into the air and come back down a few days later.
“It is utterly and utterly poisonous. Premature deaths with tire toxins, it’s unbelievable, you know?”
The Belfast Telegraph tried to contact the DUP councilors for the Waterside area but they did not answer.
The DUP’s press service has also been approached for comment.