In a surprise move, Belfast City Council has decided in a private session on Wednesday to clear the site of the proposed bonfire at Meridi Street due to asbestos concerns and possible power supply disruptions.
The decision saw support from Sinn Féin, the Alliance Party, the SDLP, and the Green Party, while the DUP stood against it.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed their involvement following a request from the council. A spokesperson for the police stated: “The PSNI have received a formal request for assistance from Belfast City Council in relation to the removal of material from a bonfire site at Meridi Street in south Belfast.”
They further elaborated: “We have declared this as a major incident and a Tactical Coordination Group has been established this evening with multi-agency partners to ensure joint understanding and to comprehensively assess all of the risks associated with this request.”
The spokesperson added: “No decision has been taken at this stage and we continue to work with our partner agencies and community representatives on this matter.”, reports Belfast Live.
Amidst these developments, a stark warning came from paramilitary groups in south Belfast, cautioning that there could be “serious and sustained disorder.
“PSNI have been advised of the risk of widespread disorder, with loyalists in other areas across NI staging interface riots to stretch the PSNI,” the statement read. “The police have been told there is a very real prospect of serious and sustained disorder should there be any effort to remove the bonfire.”
Triggered concerns
The bonfire, situated in the Village area close to Donegall Road, has additionally triggered concerns owing to its nearness to an electrical substation. There are worries that flames could endanger power supplies to the City Hospital and the Royal Victoria Hospital.
A representative for Belfast City Council confirmed the ruling: “Members of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee decided to approve the use of a contractor to remove bonfire materials from the site at Broadway Industrial Estate.
“Elected members also decided that the council would write to the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to seek assurance that the NIEA will fulfil its obligations in relation to the site.”
Court proceedings
It additionally came to light on Tuesday evening that legal correspondence had been exchanged between a legal firm and the PSNI, Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), the Department for Infrastructure, the Department for Communities, and Belfast City Council in relation to the bonfire. Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) confirmed they are “aware of the Donegall Road bonfire and have met with relevant stakeholders to express our concerns over the bonfire’s proximity to the substation causing potential risk to critical infrastructure and power outages.”