Slieve Croob Independent Councillor Patrick Clarke has cautiously welcomed moves by the bonfire organisers in Dundrum to ensure that the eleventh bonfire is safe and will not damage Council property.
He said: “This morning (Monday 11th) I have been in contact with both the Chief Executive of Council, Mr Liam Hannaway, the Director of Active and Healthy Communities, Mr. Michael Lipsett, regarding the safeguarding of the Council owned play-park near the green area beside the unofficial bonfire site at St. Donard’s Walk in Dundrum.
“I have also again visited personally myself the Council play park and the bonfire site at St. Donard’s Walk earlier this morning to see whether a safe distance has still been safely maintained between the bonfire site which is now built and ring fenced with small pedestrian barrier rails.
“I have been advised that on Friday 8th July the Housing Executive, the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, and also officials from Newry Mourne and Down District Council visited the bonfire site.
“At that time the Fire Service were satisfied that there was nothing being collected that was not permissible. It is now the Council’s intention to visit the bonfire site again later this afternoon to check the site and engage once more with local residents.”
“The organisers have now adhered to the recommendations set out by the Housing Executive in regards to the collection of certain materials and I welcome this and also that the Council, Fire Service and PSNI will also be monitoring the bonfire site in order to protect the safety of the Council owned play park nearby.
“Nevertheless, I still believe that the NI Housing Executive have to live up to their legal responsibilities regarding the unofficial use of their land for bonfires in mixed housing estates such as DeCourcey Way and St. Donard’s Walk in Dundrum and other housing areas across both the Council District other Council areas.
“I have repeatedly sought to find a resolution to the current unofficial bonfire site in Dundrum. From looking over contemporaneous notes and minutes since 2011 I am quite clear that I have offered to meet the main organisers of the 11th night bonfire in Dundrum and this is a matter of public record.”
“I will continue to proactively engage with those who are genuine in their desire to move to a more environmentally-friendly type of eleventh night celebration in Dundrum such as the wood pellet beacons which are used very successfully in other areas as Newry Mourne and Down District Council and which are not an eyesore on the local landscape or detrimental to the current environment.”
