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Image of the Queen appears on Bogside bonfire as politicians appeal for calm



An image of the Queen blowing a chewing gum bubble has appeared on the Bogside bonfire along with a host of flags.
The annual pyre attracts a sizeable crowd to the area, some of whom attend after the diversionary Gasyard Feile events end.

Other items on the structure at present includes poppy wreaths, an image of a PSNI Land Rover, a parachute regiment flag and a Union Jack.

In response to photographs of the bonfire featuring poppy wreaths, SDLP leader Colum Eastwood tweeted “This is totally out of order. Why do they need to mimic the worst elements of loyalist culture?”

Over the years the most offensive items have normally been put on the pyre later in the evening – that has included the names of murdered police officers.The Bogside bonfire often courts the most controversy given its close proximity to the city centre and due to the more overtly sectarian and politicised messages that appear on it.But members of the local council’s bonfire group said that quiet diplomacy had been ongoing in the background to discourage such actions this time round.SDLP councillor John Boyle condemned the placing of flags and images on the Bogside bonfire, saying “the display did not represent the local community”.“The placing of these images and flags on the bonfire in Derry is disgraceful and I condemn it in the strongest possible terms,” he said. “Those behind this bonfire do not speak for the people of the Bogside who want to live in peace with their neighbours
“It’s extremely disappointing that we are seeing this just days after the sale of UVF and parachute regiment flags in our city. While I understand the hurt and pain that has caused people, reacting in kind serves nobody.”Tensions have escalated in the city over the weekend after it was discovered that parachute regiment and UVF flags were up for sale during the Apprentice Boys of Derry parade.The Bloody Sunday Trust said families of those killed by the regiment on January 30, 1972, were offended by the provocative display.Chair of the bonfire working group on Derry City & Strabane District Council, Paul Gallagher, has appealed for “calm heads”.The independent councillor added: “It is my understanding that dialogue is taking place. But the incident at the weekend has heightened tensions in the city.

People need to hold their nerve and not react to the provocation.

“Everybody knows the offence that regimental flag causes in Derry, there is probably no greater insult that you could give.
“It was blatantly on sale and it has got people’s back up, it can set back years of work by people on the ground.




Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly has also said there is a responsibility on organisers of August bonfires to ensure there are no displays of hate.
The party’s policing spokesperson said: “There is an onus on the organisers of the small number of August 15th bonfires to ensure they pass off peacefully and without displays of hatred.
“There can be no repeat of the images on some loyalist bonfires in July which were blatant displays of hate and sectarianism.
“There is no place for the burning of flags, posters and effigies on bonfires anywhere in our society.
“Anyone involved in the organisation of these bonfires should ensure that is the case

The Meenan Square site where the bonfire is lit is earmarked for development as part of the Executive Office’s (TEO) Urban Villages programme.
It aims to transform areas which have suffered most from social deprivation in Northern Ireland.
However, after units on the site were demolished in 2021, no work has begun and TEO is still engaged in negotiations with the private land owner

Image of the Queen and poppies appear on Bogside bonfire as politicians appeal for calm - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk