Cllr Gary Donnelly accuses police of raising tensions in Bogside
A 15-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of assault while bonfire material was removed from a site in Derry.
The incident happened at Meenan Square in the Bogside around 8 am this morning.
Police were there to monitor the removal of material by the owner, who was under a council enforcement order.
Chief Inspector Gordon McCalmont said: “While the physical removal of bonfire material is not a matter for police, we will assist other statutory partners.
“We acknowledge that bonfires represent an important part of Northern Ireland’s culture and legacy, but also that they can cause concerns among some communities.
“We attended Meenan Square this morning to ensure there was no breach of the peace,” said Ch Insp McCalmont.
Some residents said they were angry that the bonfire had been removed.
Councillor Gary Donnelly said the police had left the area on edge.
“They came in to this community, they caused all this tension and then they drove away.”
For many years residents, and the emergency services, have warned of the dangers of holding a fire so close to other buildings.
Gasyard Wall Féile chairperson Seamus Ward said the bonfire has been an ongoing issue.
“From a survey that was conducted by the housing executive 84 per cent of the residents stated categorically that they didn’t want the bonfire.
“On that basis, we would support the local residents,” he said.
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