Community space hijacked for bonfire four months ahead of the Twelfth

» Declan Kearney

Declan Kearney: ‘I am on record defending the rights of all sections of our community to celebrate their cultural traditions when that is done with respect for and without causing offence to others’

NEWLY-ELECTED Sinn Féin South Antrim MLA Declan Kearney has called on the Housing Executive, councils and the PSNI to take decisive action against what he calls “rogue bonfires” as loyalists take over public spaces FOUR MONTHS before the Twelfth of July Orange celebrations.

He was commenting after the gathering of bonfire materials on open ground owned by the Housing Executive at a Dublin Road estate in Antrim.

“I am on record defending the rights of all sections of our community to celebrate their cultural traditions when that is done with respect for and without causing offence to others,” the Sinn Féin National Chairperson said, “but this rogue bonfire is an absolute disgrace.

“A small minority of extremists are responsible and their behaviour is inexcusable.”  

He said that a community space normally used by families and youngsters for recreation is being turned into a dumping ground for pallets and other materials for months every year.

“I have asked the Housing Executive to explain what it intends to do about illegal dumping on their land and how they propose to mitigate the serious negative impact on the local environment, denial of common recreation space, and the undermining of the quality of life for tenants and ratepayers in this part of the Dublin Road estate.

“I have also brought my serious concerns to the attention of the PSNI and Antrim and Newtownabbey Council officials.”

He said the Housing Executive “must act decisively to prevent further disruption and distress being caused to those residents from both sections of our community who wish to live free from this type of unwarranted and unacceptable disturbance in their lives”.

The Assembly member concluded:

“I expect other agencies with responsibility to ensure that is achieved and to act appropriately.”