'˜Journal' readers want to see bonfires made illegal

More than 50 per cent of those people who took part in the poll said they would like to see bonfires made illegal in Northern Ireland.

Almost 4,000 people took part in the poll with 54 per cent voting in favour of making bonfires illegal; 42 per cent were not in favour whilst the remaining four per cent said they were unsure.

A bonfire was erected on the Lecky Road on Monday evening and as a result caused traffic disruption.

Many residents living in the area have spoken out since and some have compared the current atmosphere in the area to like “living in a slum”.

Independent Councillor, Gary Donnelly, said the bonfire went ahead because of a “failure” by local politicians and community workers to connect with the young people in the area.

“The only symbolic thing about this is that it’s symbolic of the failure of the politicians of the area, and the community workers in the area to enter into a relationship with these young people,” said Colr. Donnelly.