AN anti-internment bonfire, bedecked in Orange, loyalist and Israeli flags was due to be set alight in Derry on Thursday night.
The Meenan Square bonfire in the Bogside is situated on a site owned by Apex Housing Association.
Crowds were expected to watch the pyre despite weeks of behind the scenes negotiations to prevent it from going ahead.
Bonfires on August 15 are traditionally lit in some nationalist parts of the north to mark the Feast of the Assumption and also to commemorate the introduction of internment, which was introduced in 1971.
The bonfire did not take place in 2023.
Independent Derry City and Strabane District councillor Gary Donnelly, said he was opposed to bonfires as they were “environmentally and socially toxic” and urged talks before any future bonfires in the area.
It is believed the Meenan Square bonfire contained tyres, which were not visible, beneath its pallets.
He said: “One of the first things that needs to be talked about with the young people is harm reduction – removing the tyres and that type of stuff.
“We also need to ensure disruption to the host community is at a minimum and ensure safety procedures are put in place for young people and those attending the bonfire.
“This needs to be set in progress today, not at the eleventh hour, but now, working with young people, seeing what’s acceptable and what’s not.
“Don’t wait until a week before it and then try to set in place prohibition, putting contractors and all sorts of people in unenviable positions.”
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Derry and Strabane DUP alderman Niree McMorris said she was not ‘anti-bonfire’ but opposed “toxic materials” being added to pyres.
“Unionists see bonfires as a cultural expression, part of our tradition and culture.
“I am against toxic materials and hate crimes or effigies on bonfires but I am happy enough to support bonfires, if it is waht the community wants.
“If that ever changes in the future, I will go with the consensus of the community, but I am definitely not anti-bonfire and I do see them as a cultural expression in the unionist community.”
