Family’s hurt as name of tragic Protestant boy placed on Creggan bonfire

https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/familys-hurt-name-tragic-protestant-32255986

The family of a teenage boy who drowned in Derry 15 years ago are "obviously upset" after his name was placed on a republican bonfire in Creggan.

Kyle Bonnes sadly lost his life when he drowned in the River Faughan near Drumahoe on the outskirts of the city in 2010. His name has been placed on a bonfire in the Creggan area, alongside that of serving a PSNI officer who was shot several times in 2023, and a Sinn Fein MLA for the area who has spoken out against the lighting of bonfires.

DUP MLA Gary Middleton said Kyle Bonne's family is "obviously upset".

Speaking to Belfast Live, the Foyle MLA said: "My office has been with the family and they are obviously upset at the fact that young Kyle's name has been placed onto the bonfire. It's only 15 years ago that young Kyle tragically lost his life in the Drumahoe area."

Kyle tragically entered the Faughan at an area described at the time as "fast flowing and dangerous". Attempts by PSNI officers to reach him with branches, and an attempt by a member of the public to swim out to him from the other side of the river were unsuccessful and, sadly, his body was recovered downstream by a member of the Foyle Search and Rescue team.

An inquest concluded that he had died from "freshwater drowning".

Gary Middleton continued: "This has really brought up a lot of the hurt and the trauma from the time. A lot of people were affected by this tragedy – not least the family, but also the community and the emergency responders such as Foyle Search and Rescue as well. That was a tragedy and to use his name to try and cause maximum hurt is entirely wrong."

The name of a senior PSNI detective was shot while he was off duty after coaching a youth football team in Omagh, Co Tyrone in 2023, Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell, was also placed on the bonfire.

The PSNI has said it is aware of the material after images of the bonfire circulated widely on social media. The Area Commander for Derry City and Strabane described the material as an "attempt to intimidate".

Chief Superintendent Gillian Kearney said: "The display of names with crosshairs is an attempt to intimidate, which is unacceptable.

“While we are not the lead agency, we remain committed to working with our partners, including local councils and other public and statutory bodies, as well as community representatives, to address issues linked to bonfires."

A police spokesperson added: "Police are aware of material, which includes drawings of crosshairs and names of people, placed on the bonfire in Creggan and of images circulating on social media in relation to this. Enquiries are ongoing, and all offences will be investigated accordingly."

The name of Sinn Fein MLA Padraig Delargy has also been placed on the bonfire. The Foyle MLA has been a vocal critic of bonfires over the past number of weeks.

A Sinn Féin spokesperson said: "Threats against elected representatives or anyone are anti-democratic and unacceptable."

In a statement issued by his party last week, Mr Delargy said: "There is no place in 2025 Derry for illegal bonfires, as they are anti-community, anti-social and pose a threat to people's well-being, the environment and critical infrastructure.

"Bonfires stands in stark contrast to the incredible work being carried out by community organisations throughout Derry. There are hundreds of positive events set to take place across the city in the coming days and weeks, and those are the images we should be projecting: a proud, forward-looking community."

SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan has called for the offensive signs to be removed.

“The signs that have appeared on a bonfire in the Creggan part of our city are outright wrong and deeply distressing for members of the community," he said.

"If bonfire builders are insistent on going ahead with this pyre, I would ask that they at least show some basic respect and do so without these offensive displays and the burning of signs, flags and other emblems.

“Burning the names of police officers, local politicians and especially a young person who tragically lost their life, has nothing to do with cultural celebration and I acknowledge and welcome that some of the most egregious signs appear to have been removed overnight."

He continued: "As someone who has been targeted by a bonfire before I know it is a deeply unpleasant experience and all these displays achieve is furthering hate and division in our city. This is in no way representative of the people of Creggan and their wishes and I would ask those involved in this bonfire and those directing it not to let themselves and their community down."

Mr Durkan added: "There is a need for leadership across both of our communities to break the tit-for-tat cycle that leave us facing these same issues year after year."

Preparations are also underway for a controversial bonfire in the Bogside area of the city, at the site of a proposed multi-million pound project to build a "transformational" mixed-use development including a "community hub" and "local amenities" including shops has been planned for several years.

After the project at Meenan Square in the Bogside was hit by several delays, including a long running land ownership issue, a full planning application was finally submitted for the redevelopment works in February and "enabling works" had been set to begin this summer.