Dundrum residents worried about Eleventh Night bonfire materials

Dundrum residents worried about Eleventh Night bonfire materials

6 July 2016

CONCERN has been expressed about material being gathered on Housing Executive land in Dundrum ahead of the village’s annual Eleventh Night bonfire.

Residents at De Courcey Way who are concerned the site of next week’s bonfire is close to a children’s play park at the public sector estate have contacted councillor Patrick Clarke who echoed their concern.

He said large hay bales are among the items which have been collected ahead of next Monday night’s bonfire and while conceding there is some distance between the play park and the site of the bonfire, he has asked housing officials to keep an eye on the area and monitor the height of the bonfire.

“I have been advised the large hay bales give off considerable heat when they are set alight and residents have asked me to raise this with the Executive. I noticed during my inspection that there are barriers which I assume will be placed around the bonfire area,” continued councillor Clarke. “In the meantime, I would be grateful if the Executive could liaise with Newry, Mourne and Down Council, the Fire and Rescue Service and any relevant statutory bodies in the run up to the Eleventh Night bonfire.”

The Slieve Croob councillor said he is “perplexed” there is still no sign of housing officials seeking a resolution to prevent what he described as a “small coterie of people” who organise the collection of materials for the bonfire on Housing Executive property.

Councillor Clarke added: “Whilst I fully respect the legitimacy of those wishing to celebrate their cultural heritage and history, the Housing Executive is well aware that De Courcey Way and adjoining housing estates are mixed and the right to those residing to have peaceful enjoyment of their properties has to be respected.

“I hope the Executive will take the appropriate actions necessary to ensure this year’s bonfire preparations and celebrations are carried out in a safe and dignified manner, with the organisation working towards a resolution as to the future use of this land.”

An Executive spokeswoman said bonfires are traditional events and the organisation aims to work with local communities to try to ensure they are safe and pose no damage to local property. 

She said this has been successfully achieved in a number of areas across Northern Ireland.

“We are aware material has been gathered in Dundrum and have been monitoring the situation closely with members of our team visiting the site regularly. Last year, local agencies, including the council, PSNI, Fire and Rescue Service and the Housing Executive effectively worked together to minimise risks posed at this bonfire site,” said the spokeswoman.

“We have followed the same procedures this year and hope for an equally successful outcome. 

“No one single agency can work in isolation and we will continue to work with the local community, the council, PSNI, Fire and Rescue Service and other agencies to seek appropriate solutions.”