Residents on a Derry housing estate have voiced their opposition to a nationalist bonfire next month.
People living the Galliagh area say they are worried someone will be hurt if a traditional August 15 pyre to mark the Catholic Feast of the Assumption goes ahead.
The removal of material at a bonfire site in the Galliagh area in 2012 sparked three nights of riots.
It emerged this month a controversial anti-internment bonfire due to be held in the Bogside area of Derry has now been called off.
One resident, who did want to be named, said the bonfire is a feature of local life from March until children return to school in September.
“It isn’t just the bonfire – it’s the fireworks [which] go on morning and night, scramblers day and night,” he said.
“It’s just non-stop.
“On Friday, there were eight or nine bikes up and down the field and there were people congregating.
“People are actually dropping their kids off at the site and collecting them.”
The resident added those congregating around the bonfire showed little regard for the local community.
“One of the things I found really, really shocking is that, in the midst of all that’s happening, there were two local wakes,” he told the BBC.
“People had died and people were trying to grieve and it’s just constant noise and fireworks.
“I’m not just speaking for myself – I’m speaking for my neighbours, because people have to work and get to sleep.”
The local man accepted that the bonfire will probably go ahead.
“In all probability, it’s going to go ahead this year. But what’s going to happen next year and the year after that? he said.
Youths collecting pallets for Galliagh bonfire
“There were people carrying knives and there were people attacked a couple of years ago.”
He also voiced concern that someone may be hurt.
“We’re just asking for some solution to be found,” he added.
A spokesperson for the Department for Communities said it “does not permit bonfire material being stored, or bonfires being located, on departmental land”.
“The department also understands that the local community and residents in Galliagh are not supportive of any bonfire taking place and, therefore, any bonfire is clearly against the local community’s wishes,” the spokesperson added.
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