SDLP adamant there cannot be a bonfire at north Belfast interface site The Adam Street bonfire
Infrastructure minister Nichola Mallon
The SDLP has said it is adamant there cannot be a bonfire at a north Belfast interface on land controlled by SDLP minister Nichola Mallon.
The pyre which is located off Duncairn Gardens at the interface between the nationalist New Lodge and loyalist Tigers Bay districts has been built on land primarily owned by the Department for Infrastructure, which is headed by Ms Mallon.
It is understood the minister, who is also an MLA for the area, will make the final decision about the bonfire.
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“Anything could happen, but we are hoping for peace, hoping tonight remains calm,” they told Al Jazeera.
Devlin is a youth worker with the Forthspring Inter Community Group, located right on the peace-line between the predominantly nationalist Springfield area, and the predominantly loyalist Shankill.
Video footage of young people throwing petrol bombs at one of the gates that separate these areas – on which the words “There was never a good war or a bad peace” are painted – has been watched with horror across the world.
“Things this evening appear to be quite calm, there does not appear to be any other gatherings on either side of the interface,” Devlin said as they began their shift.
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Stones, bottles and petrol bombs were thrown at police officers on another night of unrest in Northern Ireland.
A car was also seen burning in Belfast amid a heavy police presence.
Police have been dealing with unrest all week in the North, prompting leaders from across the political spectrum to urge peace.
Leaders in Ireland and the UK have called for calm, amid fears the protests could escalate further over the weekend.
Many have highlighted the young age of many of those involved in the riots, with children as young as 12 or 13 involved in the disorder.
Two men have been charged following the scenes on Thursday in west Belfast, with the police saying a 24-year-old and a 32-year-old were charged with riot.