Bonfire sanctions agreed by committee

SINN Féin’s Annie O’Lone has welcomed an agreement on enforcement over ‘hate crimes’ and asbestos at bonfire sites in the borough.

But South Antrim MLA Trevoe Clarke has hit back, accusing the party of stoking tensions.

Speaking after the Community Development Committee meeting of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council last week, Councillor O’Lone said, “Sinn Féin presented a motion to Council in February, seeking a review of the Bonfire Management Programme (BMP), specifically to take account of repeated hate crimes at bonfire sites across the borough, including the display and burning of flags, images and effigies.

“At that time, I and party colleagues proposed what we believed to be modest changes to policy, including a zero tolerance approach to hate crimes.

“Unfortunately, even those minor adjustments were voted down by unionists in the chamber and, as predicted, that refusal to embrace change has resulted in repeated hate crimes at bonfire sites across the borough again this year.

“At this week’s Community Development Committee, council officers reported on a number of incidents at sites, including the burning of flags, all of which are hate crimes, and the discovery of asbestos in the remains of a bonfire on Council property in the Neillsbrook estate.

“While we were content to support a recommendation to apply a minimum reduction of £700 for 2026 in respect of the Neillsbrook bonfire, especially in light of the heavy cost of the asbestos removal to the ratepayer, I and my party colleague, Councillor Taylor McGrann, proposed that it would be entirely appropriate to apply a similar sanction for the burning of flags to discourage future hate crimes, particularly as the four sites reported are repeat offenders going back several years.

“Sinn Féin recognises the importance of the eleventh night for the PUL community and their right to celebrate their culture and traditions. However, hate crimes such as the burning of flags, images and effigies at bonfire sites are in violation of the rule of law and respect for good relations; they do not represent a legitimate expression of culture.

“I welcome the Committee’s decision to support our proposals, and for council officers to proceed with a review of BMP funding arrangements, all of which marks progress towards a scheme which promotes accountability and the eradication of hate crimes at all future bonfire sites.

“We trust that all members will agree with the reasonableness of the committee’s position and act accordingly by endorsing same at this month’s Full Council.”

At the meeting, DUP Antrim Town Councillor Paul Dunlop had called for no sanctions to be applied, as the breaches of policy had been reported after final inspections had been carried out and funding had been granted.

His party colleague, South Antrim MLA Trevor Clarke said: “I have watched this story unfold with real concern.

“One could be forgiven for believing that Sinn Féin have been raising tensions locally, rather than helping to resolve them.

“Serious questions are raised: why were these issues not identified earlier - why now?

“In terms of the asbestos - was it there beforehand, or was it identified afterwards?

“Randalstown is a reasonably settled town.

“People work and live together in harmonny.

“Sadly, Sinn Féin seem intent on disrupting that by stoking division locally, while at the same time turning a blind eye to other issues in different parts of the borough.

“The community deserves consistency, fairness and respect — not selective outrage and political point-scoring.”

For full coverage of the meeting, turn to page 4.