Republicans block road in Londonderry with giant bonfire

The 15 foot high structure, largely constructed of pallets but also including tyres, was put together overnight in the Bogside area.

Youths have been gathering wood for weeks and storing it in the Meenan Square area, with the bonfire expected to be lit tonight.

A sign on the bonfire reads: “You’s should’nt have taken our wood” (sic), apparently in reference to an operation last Friday morning when a team was tasked to the area to remove pallets from Meenan Square.

Some residents had expressed concerns at the scene on Friday about a heavy police presence accompanying the removal team.

A PSNI spokesperson said on Monday morning: “Due to a bonfire being constructed on the Lecky Road, Police are advising that motorists may wish to consider an alternative route than using the Lecky Road or Brandywell Road to enter the Bogside at this time.”