https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2dg3w3dz2ro
Owners of private land where material is being gathered ahead of a bonfire in Londonderry have said no contractors have been willing to remove items from the site due to "health and safety concerns".
A number of pallets and rubber tyres have been gathered at Meenan Square in the Bogside ahead of a planned nationalist bonfire, which is to be lit on Thursday.
Apex Housing, which own the site, has said they have "not authorised the current activity" and said there have been instances of "forced entry" on the private land.
"All options to remove materials from the site have been explored", Apex said.
Why is the bonfire being lit?
Bonfires on 15 August are traditional in some nationalist parts of Northern Ireland to mark the Catholic Feast of the Assumption.
Some bonfires are also lit in August to commemorate the introduction of internment without trial of republican suspects during the Troubles, which was introduced by the UK Government in 1971.
Apex Housing said that they have worked with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and engaged with local representatives and statutory bodies to "mitigate the risks associated with a bonfire at Meenan Square".
“We have not authorised the current activity on the Meenan Square site and continue to re-secure boundary fencing and gates after each incident of forced entry.
"All options to remove materials from the site have been explored, however no contractor has been willing to assist due to health and safety concerns.”
Apex said they remained committed to working with all relevant parties to find a resolution that "ensures the safety and well-being of the local community".
'Alternative positive activities'
In a statement, a spokesperson for Derry City and Strabane District Council (DCSDC) said Meenan Square is not council-owned land and that the council does not authorise or regulate bonfires.
They said the council does, however, engage with a wide range of statutory and community partners “to minimise the impact on local communities”.
They said that at a council committee meeting in June, members approved £15,000 towards “directed intervention activity” in the area during July and August.
“The funding is targeted at finding new and alternative positive activities that will benefit the local community,” they said.
BBC News NI has also approached the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) for a statement.
by Gazmac_868855