Sinn Féin's Declan Kearney has described incidents around the 11th Night as deliberate attempts to intimidate and deepen division, renewing his call for regulation and enforcement at bonfire sites across South Antrim.

The South Antrim MLA said: "Weeks ahead of the 12 July weekend, my office once again engaged with multiple statutory agencies seeking their proactive involvement in preventing hate and environmental crimes at bonfire sites across South Antrim.

"Despite these representations, we have again witnessed vile displays of sectarian and racist hate, and a total disregard for environmental laws at specific illegal bonfire sites. These included an offensive placard relating to Antrim and Newtownabbey Mayor Henry Cushinan at the illegal Mallusk Gardens bonfire. "As a result of inaction on the part of landowners and other authorities with whom I have been engaged, local criminals have effectively been given free rein to commit hate crimes, promote bigotry, and burn tyres and other toxic materials at certain locations. It is a disgrace that year on year they are allowed to do so with impunity.

"This criminality must not be allowed to become normalised, and no public money should be made available to directly or indirectly sponsor, or support, such pyres of hate.

"I will be asking the PSNI for a full report on the extent to which the police were engaged with partner agencies and organisations to deter criminality; the number of hate crimes which were detected; and intentions to submit files to the Public Prosecution Service.

"I believe it is long past time for all bonfires to be subject to proper regulation and enforcement; based upon compliance with good relations policy; existing environmental legislation; respect for public and private property; public health considerations; and community safety.

"In the absence of effective regulation, those engaging in hate crimes at bonfire sites will continue to be emboldened to engage in further acts of bigotry and hatred. That must not be allowed."