There is no place for illegal, unregulated bonfires or the burning of flags, whether that\u2019s today in Derry or what we witnessed in July. pic.twitter.com\/M7pBf4ZhOh<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Michelle O\u2019Neill (@moneillsf) August 15, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The towering pyres were adorned with Union flags, Israel flags, poppy wreaths and other emblems.<\/p>\n At the Meenan Square bonfire in the Bogside, organisers also placed a Parachute Regiment flag, as well as flags with the images of the King and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.<\/p>\n Crowds began to gather as Friday evening progressed, ahead of the expected ignition at about 11pm.<\/p>\n Bonfires are traditionally lit in some nationalist areas of Derry in August, historically associated with the anniversary of the introduction of internment without trial during the Troubles and other significant events.<\/p>\n It follows the lighting of hundreds of bonfires during festivities in loyalist areas of Northern Ireland in July, which also saw the burning of flags, symbols and effigies.<\/p>\n Ms O\u2019Neill, who is the leader of Sinn Fein in Northern Ireland\u2019s Executive, said: \u201cThere is no place for illegal, unregulated bonfires or the burning of flags and emblems, whether that\u2019s today in Derry or what we witnessed across the North in July.\u201d<\/p>\n She added: \u201cDerry is a city undergoing significant transformation, with the largest investment in its history agreed, totalling \u00a3300m.<\/p>\n \u201cThis investment will create new jobs, transform community facilities, build more homes, support local businesses and deliver the expansion of Magee University.<\/p>\n \u201cDerry is moving forward. Our island is moving forward.<\/p>\n Alliance Deputy Leader @EoinTennyson<\/a> has condemned those who have placed poppy wreaths and flags on a bonfire in Derry-Londonderry, and has called for regulation to put an end to these hateful displays.https:\/\/t.co\/djKrxV0hB0<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1755299103363_1.jpg--.jpg\")
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