SDLP councillor Lilian Seenoi Barr has proposed a community event in the Bogside area after local young people decided to call off this year’s bonfire.
Councillor Barr, who is chair of the council’s Bonfire Working Group, introduced a motion alongside Sinn Féin councillor Sandra Duffy to council’s health and communities committee on Thursday calling for council to work with statutory organisations and local residents to organise a community event on August 15 in place of the bonfire.
The proposal received the unanimous backing of councillors.
Derry Daily first revealed last Saturday that the bonfire was not going to be built this year.
The bonfire is built annually at Meenan Square on August 15 to mark the anniversary of internment.
In a statement, Republican Socialist Youth Movement (RSYM) said last Saturday: “In the last few months the RSYM have been engaging with the Bogside Republican Youth regarding the highly attended annual bonfire in Meenan Square.
“After several conversations with the bonfire builders they have informed us that after discussions with the local residents they have made the decision not to have their bonfire due to young people from outside the area fighting and causing antisocial behaviour last year.
“The builders of the fire understand and respect the concerns of the community and this is why this decision has been made.
“We commend the decision of the Bogside Republican Youth and the bonfire builders to put the community first.”
The decision was been widely welcomed across Derry.
Said Cllr Barr today: “Following the welcome decision to call off the yearly August bonfire in the Bogside area, I have engaged with local residents and bonfire builders around ways that the local community can still come together in a positive way while avoiding the problems that were traditionally associated with the bonfire around anti-social behaviour.
“I commend the leadership shown by young people in this area and their willingness to listen to residents about the issues they faced as a result of the bonfire.
“I believe that this outcome presents us with an opportunity to introduce a new community event that celebrates everything this area has to offer, from its rich history to the togetherness and solidarity of the people who live there.
“Councillors from all parties on the committee have recognised the positive progress made in the Bogside by backing my proposal and council will now form a group to work with organisations like the Housing Executive, Department for Communities and the Education Authority and local residents to plan an event that everyone in the area can enjoy.
“The way this situation has been resolved for the benefit of the local community is a welcome step forward in addressing the issues around bonfires in our city.
“It should act as an example to those in other parts of Derry and across Northern Ireland of what can be achieved when we all work together in good faith to tackle these issues.”
During last year’s bonfire, PSNI officers on patrol in Meenan Square came under gun attack.
The New IRA later claimed responsibility for the attempted murder of police officers.
A number of men were subsequently arrested for questioning over the shooting but were later released uncharged.
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