Bonfire destruction is condemned

A car was used as the base of one of the bonfires

The mayor of Derry City Council has condemned the destruction caused at bonfires across the city.

The bonfires were lit in nationalist areas on Tuesday night to mark the traditional 15 August holiday.

Derry City Council said the clean-up operation would cost about £5,000. A council spokesman said the dangers posed by the bonfires were obvious.

SDLP mayor Helen Quigley said many of the people who attended the fires were drunk and out of control.

"We have children's buggies, we have shopping trolleys, there are trees that have been cut down," she said.

"More concerning, is the amount of cans and bottles that have been left in the area.

"There was a party of some description went on here and clearly they went on a rampage of pure destruction."

The council says the clean-up will cost about £5,000

Council spokesman Alastair Wilson said: "They have been burning tyres and all sorts of materials that are hazardous. A lot of damage has been done."

He added: "Five trees have been cut down and there is all the associated rubbish, bottles and cans as well."

Therese McDonough, organiser of a community festival for children being run nearby, said they had to abandon it due to safety fears.

"We tried our best to maintain the party atmosphere, but we closed it down at 5pm because it became a threat to thousands of pounds worth of equipment," she said.