Dumped tyres spark appeal

Dumped tyres spark appeal

15 May 2024

ORGANISERS of the Eleventh Night bonfire in Ballynahinch have this week appealed to people not to use the location as an open air dump.

The appeal comes after 150 old car tyres were dumped illegally at the town’s Lisburn Street car park at the weekend.

Bonfire organisers believe a small lorry was used to transport the tyres to the car park on Saturday and are urging anyone who knows who may have been responsible to contact the authorities.

The tyres were removed by Newry, Mourne and Down Council staff yesterday morning.

The Ballynahinch Bonfire Committee is appealing to people to dispose of their waste properly and not use the bonfire site as their personal dump.

Committee members said they have worked hard over the past 16 years to incorporate the bonfire into a festival event which complies with all necessary legislation and reject any attempt to undermine their good work by illegally dumping tyres.

A committee spokesman said the group is properly constituted and has been working closely with the local authority, ensuring it complies with all necessary legislation and that no harmful material is placed on the bonfire.

“Material which is harmful to the environment is not burnt and we fully comply with the strict legislation governing bonfires,” the spokesman continued.

“We have worked closely with council officials from the day and hour we were established and are disappointed that someone dumped a huge consignment of tyres in the Lisburn Street car park last weekend.”

The spokesman said the committee’s good work will not be undermined by others who took a chance and dumped so many old tyres.

“Such behaviour isn’t on. We are doing what we are required to do by law and ensuring the bonfire does not have any harmful impact on the environment. We are going to keep it that way and not allow anyone to undermine our efforts.”

The spokesman said while in the past one or two people chanced their arm by dumping a few tyres at the Lisburn Street car park – which were not burnt – they had never before seen anything on the scale of the weekend incident.

“Dumping tyres at the site of a bonfire is an easy get out for some people and, given the number of tyres left at the car park, they may have come from a business. But we just don’t know who is responsible and contacted a number of local councillors.

“If whoever dumped the tyres had to pay to dispose of them properly it could have cost them a lot of money, that’s perhaps why they chose the Lisburn Street car park.”

The spokesman said the Ballynahinch bonfire was never contentious but things have improved since the committee was established to oversee it.

“There are no issues here and it is more of a festival event now which people come along to enjoy. The bottom line for us is that tyres cannot and will not be burned on our bonfire. Those who dumped the tyres displayed nothing by mindlessness and thoughtlessness.”

The spokesman added: “We abide by all the rules and legislation and do not want people dumping material which should not be at the bonfire site. 

“This is council-owned property and what happened last weekend was illegal. It was wrong and we are glad the tyres have been removed. 

“The last thing we want is people coming to the site and dumping tyres which should have been disposed of properly and in accordance with the law.”

Rowallane councillor Jonny Jackson described the incident as “completely unacceptable” and said used tyres must always be disposed of properly.

He paid tribute to the work of the Ballynahinch Bonfire Committee which he said works hard to ensure the Eleventh Night bonfire event is well run and complies with all necessary guidelines.

“The committee members have appealed to people not to use the bonfire site as an illegal dump and not leave unsuitable materials that cannot be burned. Tyres need to be disposed of properly,” Cllr Jackson said.

He also appealed to anyone who may have seen the tyres being dumped at the Lisburn Street car park last Saturday to contact police or Newry, Mourne and Down Council.

“This behaviour is simply not on and people who dump tyres illegally should know better. Any tyres left at the car park will be removed immediately,” he added.