Northern Ireland

Police investigate material on Derry bonfire as ‘hate crime’

A number of flags and banners were placed on the bonfire which was lit in Derry on Thursday night.

The 15th of August bonfire in the Derry Bogside on Thursday night. Picture Margaret McLaughlin  15-8-2024
The 15th of August bonfire in the Derry Bogside on Thursday night. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 15-8-2024 (MARGARET MCLAUGHLIN PHOTOGRAPHY )

Police are investigating the placing of a number of flags and banners on a bonfire in Derry as hate crimes.

Union flags, the flag of Israel with the name of US president Joe Biden daubed on it, an image of a police Land Rover and a King Charles coronation flag were placed on the bonfire in Derry.

The bonfire, in the Bogside area, was lit on Thursday night.

Traditionally, bonfires have been lit on August 15 in some nationalist areas to mark the Catholic Feast of the Assumption although they are becoming a less frequent sight.

A police spokesperson said officers are investigating the material placed on bonfires in Derry, which are being treated as hate crimes.

“There were no arrests in relation to bonfires in Derry/Derry on August 15,” they added.