Two thirds of residents don’t want Galliagh bonfire flytippers warned

That’s according to Sinn Féin Councillor Aileen Mellon who has appealed for the illegal dumping of rubbish and the nightly pyrotechnics to stop.

Some young people have been collecting material for a bonfire on August 15, the Feast of the Assumption, which half a century ago became associated with the nationalist uprising against internment.

While bonfires were traditionally lit in Ireland in August to mark the Lúnasa festival they have been largely phased out in recent years in Derry due to the environmental damage and anti-social behaviour associated with them.

Colr. Mellon said people in Galliagh do not want the fire on their doorsteps.

“For some time now, residents have been under a lot of stress in the Galliagh Park area dealing with fly tipping on a field at the back of their homes due to a large bonfire site.

“They are also being tortured by the use of fireworks on a nightly basis. We have held meetings with residents who have been suffering stress every night and feel very frustrated.

“I have lost count of the number of reports I have been given about cars and vans pulling up at the green space there and people tipping out any rubbish they have in their vehicles with total disregard for the local community,” said Colr. Mellon.

Those individuals dumping rubbish at the site have been asked to show some responsibility towards their fellow citizens.

“My question to them is, would you like this on your doorstep?” asked Colr. Mellon.

“I have continued to report any fly tipping that has been seen to both the Council and the police and I will continue to support local residents. Fly tipping is illegal, and it needs to stop.

“Galliagh is not a dumping ground, it is also not an area that people can come to and wreck as they want. It is our community; it is people’s lives and homes being affected and it needs to be stopped.

“We will continue to push for action from the Housing Executive and the Department for Communities to also act on the wishes of residents for these materials to be removed.

“Two thirds of residents surveyed do not want a bonfire and demand action be taken. I stand with them on this call,” she said.