Burning of flags, poppy wreaths, and football shirts being treated as 'sectarian hate crimes'

Burning of flags, poppy wreaths, and football shirts being treated as 'sectarian hate crimes'

Burning of flags, poppy wreaths, and football shirts is being treated as "sectarian hate crimes" in Northern Ireland. Police have condemned several incidents in which the items were placed on bonfires in Londonderry. Sinn Féin has condemned the burning of images of First Minister Michelle O’Neill in one of the fires. Ms O’Neill has said she “will not be deterred, distracted or intimidated” from her work. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say In a social media post, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Sir Chris Bryant said: "The burning of images of the First Minister Michelle O’Neill along with other symbols and flags at the bonfire last night in Derry-Londonderry was wrong and I strongly condemn it. "Hatred like that only takes us back to the past - which is not what the vast majority of people in Northern Ireland want.” Bonfires are traditionally lit in nationalist areas of Derry on August 15 and are associated with the August anniversary of the introduction of internment without trial during the Troubles. They also coincide with the Catholic Feast of the Assumption. Several bonfires were lit in the city on Saturday evening. Department for Infrastructure staff had previously removed pallets and poppy wreaths from a bonfire in the Bogside area. Chief Superintendent Gillian Kearney, PSNI Commander of Derry City and Strabane, said: “There were a number of bonfires in the city on Saturday 15 August; in Bligh’s Lane in Creggan, on Lecky Road in the Bogside and on Corrody Road in the Top of the Hill area of the Waterside. “Material placed on these bonfires included flags, poppy wreaths, banners, political material, sashes, football shirts and other items. These are being treated as sectarian-motivated hate crimes." LATEST DEVELOPMENTS Cars risk ban in major UK city under new plans looking for 'permanent solution' Belfast's Titanic shipyard undergoing major resurgence for first time in more decades Dougie Beattie celebrates five years of representing Irel