DUP lodges complaint over the burning of poppy wreaths at bonfires in Londonderry

The DUP has reported the placement of poppy wreaths on a bonfire in Londonderry
By Staff Reporter
Published 16th Aug 2020, 11:43 BST
Updated 16th Aug 2020, 11:49 BST
A giant bonfire in the Bogside area of Londonderry, to mark the Catholic Feast of the Assumption is lit. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA WireA giant bonfire in the Bogside area of Londonderry, to mark the Catholic Feast of the Assumption is lit. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
A giant bonfire in the Bogside area of Londonderry, to mark the Catholic Feast of the Assumption is lit. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Traditional August bonfires were lit in nationalist areas across the city, to mark the Catholic Feast of the Assumption.

Ahead of the fires, organisers had been urged to comply with coronavirus regulations that limit the size of outdoor gatherings to 30 people.

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At one of the main bonfires, in the Bogside, a significantly larger number gathered to watch as it was lit late on Saturday night.

Flags including the Union and US flag at burnt at the top of a giant bonfire in the Bogside area on Saturday. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA WireFlags including the Union and US flag at burnt at the top of a giant bonfire in the Bogside area on Saturday. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Flags including the Union and US flag at burnt at the top of a giant bonfire in the Bogside area on Saturday. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Several of the fires continue to be a source of controversy within the city, with young bonfire builders criticised for anti-social behaviour and burning items and symbols associated with the unionist tradition.

On the Bogside fire a picture of the Queen was attached to the structure before it was torched.

Union flags, Northern Ireland flags and a US and Israeli flag were also placed on the stacks of wooden pallets, as were flags of the Parachute Regiment — the regiment whose soldiers were responsible for the Bloody Sunday shootings in the city in 1972.

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The DUP had reported the placement of poppy wreaths on another fire — in Curryneirin on the Waterside of the city.

The fires were ignited just over a month after loyalist bonfires were lit across Northern Ireland to usher in the main date of the Protestant loyal order calendar, the Twelfth of July.

Many loyalist bonfire builders face similar criticism on an annual basis, with nationalist items and symbols regularly burned on the Eleventh Night.

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Related topics:DUPNorthern IrelandQueen