The Daily Star Ireland
Police in Northern Ireland are reviewing a formal request from Belfast City Council to assist in the removal of a contentious bonfire near critical electricity infrastructure, amid safety concerns and growing political and community tensions.
The bonfire in question, constructed on Monarch Street in south Belfast, sits dangerously close to a power substation that supplies electricity to both the Royal Victoria Hospital and Belfast City Hospital. Officials fear that the structure poses a serious threat to the energy supply, prompting Belfast City Council to vote in favor of removing it. However, that decision is now subject to legal challenge, and any intervention would require a large-scale security operation.
Police Declare ‘Major Incident’ as Tensions Rise
In response to the growing concerns, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has declared a “major incident.” Senior officers are currently holding talks with political leaders, community representatives, and partner agencies to determine the legality, necessity, and proportionality of removing the bonfire.
Only if those legal and operational criteria are satisfied will police assess whether a protective operation to support contractors is practically feasible. Given the sensitivity of the issue and the heightened risk of unrest, that decision is anything but straightforward.
The surrounding geography complicates police strategy. The bonfire site is bordered by the busy Westlink motorway—Belfast’s main arterial route—alongside residential and commercial properties. Any attempt to access the area, particularly in the event of unrest, would significantly restrict police mobility and likely result in the closure of the Westlink, escalating public disruption.
Asbestos Concerns and Safety Measures
Adding to the urgency, officials have raised alarms about the presence of asbestos near the bonfire site. While it has been temporarily covered with fire-retardant tarpaulin, the risk to public health remains. Police have requested a detailed risk assessment from Northern Ireland Electricity regarding the threat to the power grid, and environmental experts have also been consulted to evaluate the hazard posed by the asbestos material.
To date, mitigation measures have included erecting steel barriers around the substation and shielding key electrical cables. Still, officials warn these steps may not be sufficient if the bonfire is ignited as planned.
Community Resistance and Security Risks
There is widespread concern that any attempt to dismantle the bonfire without local agreement could provoke serious unrest. Though police have dismissed claims that loyalist paramilitary groups have issued coordinated threats of violence, sources acknowledge that local factions—particularly in the loyalist “Village” area—are likely to resist enforcement efforts. Such resistance could spark disorder not just locally, but in loyalist communities across Northern Ireland.
Following the council’s decision, crowds gathered at the site on Wednesday night, and roads leading into the area were blocked. Several individuals, including young men, were observed climbing on the bonfire structure. This further complicates any potential removal operation, as the presence of people atop the bonfire raises significant safety concerns.
Political Response and Legal Precedent
Sinn Féin has urged the PSNI to ensure that any decision is grounded in law and public interest—not shaped by threats of “mob rule.” The issue draws comparisons to a 2019 situation in north Belfast, where the PSNI declined to support contractors in removing a similar bonfire. At the time, police cited the presence of children on the structure and the likelihood of significant public disorder. That decision was later upheld by the High Court in Belfast, reinforcing the importance of balancing public safety with legal authority.
Outrage in Moygashel Over Migrant Effigies
In a separate but related controversy, police have also been asked to intervene at a bonfire in Moygashel, County Tyrone, where effigies of migrants in a boat have been placed atop the structure. The installation, which includes signs reading “stop the boats” and “veterans before refugees,” has drawn strong condemnation from human rights groups and community advocates.
Amnesty International’s Northern Ireland Director, Patrick Corrigan, denounced the display as “a vile, dehumanising act that fuels hatred and racism.” He called on authorities to act swiftly, remove the offending material, and investigate those responsible. However, police sources indicate they are unlikely to intervene in this case, citing the absence of a clear criminal offense despite the offensive nature of the imagery.
Bonfire Season in Northern Ireland: Tradition and Tension
The Monarch Street and Moygashel bonfires are among roughly 300 expected to be lit across Northern Ireland tonight and tomorrow, in advance of the annual Orange Order parades on July 12. While most bonfires are managed peacefully and seen as expressions of cultural identity, a number have become flashpoints in recent years due to the inclusion of politically charged items such as national flags, election posters, and effigies.
The PSNI now faces a difficult balancing act—ensuring public safety and upholding the law without triggering wider unrest. With legal reviews ongoing and emotions running high, the days ahead could prove pivotal in shaping how Northern Ireland handles bonfire-related disputes in the future.
