THE OUTRAGEOUS behaviour of bonfire builders knows no bounds, religious or political, judging by the events of July and August.
There is a perfectly reasonable argument that the constructing of these pyres has no place in this century and probably had no place in the last one either.
They are unsafe, cause damage to property and public areas and the burning of toxic material is a hazard to both health and the environment.
In July there were a number of 11th Night bonfires which were clearly hazardous. One in the Sandy Row area was built perilously close to a block of apartments and as feared, caused damage to people's homes. As of late last week no work had been undertaken to repair that damage and there are also questions over who will foot the bill.
It is unlikely to be paid for by those who caused the damage. At the time of the 11th Night bonfires efforts were made by Belfast City Council to move material from some sites. Ominous signs warning of retaliatory action appeared at some of the sites.
When bonfires were being constructed in nationalist areas around August 9 there was sporadic violence near some sites when wood and other materials were removed. At least one council worker was reported to have been injured.
In Derry at the weekend threats were placed near pyres in the Bogside and the Galliagh areas threatening retaliatory action if any material was removed.
Unbelievably these threats involved the Free Derry Wall, which had a very clear threat written on it and apparently a Co-Op store in the city.
There was a tradition of bonfires in some areas on the night of August 15 celebrating the Assumption of Our Lady. It is not clear just what the fires in Derry are commemorating or celebrating but if it is connected to a religious feast day it is clearly a perverse excuse to cause trouble. If it is connected to politics then it is bizarre that those responsible would threaten one of the most well-known political symbols not just in Ireland but internationally.
There seems to be a feeling that bonfires are much more acceptable in unionist areas than in nationalist ones. Therefore it is difficult for the authorities to act in an even-handed fashion when dealing with the phenomenon. This was clear from the reaction to Belfast City Council's embryonic attempts to deal with the matter this year.
However common sense should tell us that it is not a good idea to pollute the environment, burn down a terrace of houses or damage flats. For those reasons efforts to stop this medieval practice should continue.
