While there are obvious health and safety concerns associated with bonfires, there is a lack of public Halloween events in Dublin.

So, could regulated bonfires fill the gap?

Independent Councillor for Dublin Central Cieran Perry said that it would be “preferable” for local, regulated bonfires to take place.

“The difficulty with that though is, first of all, the environmental impact of the likes of bonfires,” he told Lunchtime Live.

“And the antisocial behaviour that they attract; the illegal type of bonfires.

“Now, some of the very proactive local officials in our area have tried to source suppliers for bonfire events, but it’s quite difficult to do.

“I think there was somebody in the six counties that provided such a service, but they weren’t willing to come down into the south, so that’s something that I believe we need to look at next year.”

A couple embrace in silhouette at Craigyhill loyalist bonfire in Larne, Co Antrim, on the Eleventh night to usher in the Twelfth commemorations, © PA Wire/PA Images

Cllr Perry said that while Dublin City Council puts on “very good alternative events” in the North Inner City and in Finglas, there is still a lack of alternatives to illegal bonfires in many areas.

“They’re extremely expensive, but worthwile in the fact that they attract the youth that may engage in the illegal bonfires and the associated antisocial behaviour,” he said.

“So, they do what they’re required to do – probably not enough events, and obviously finance is always a difficulty with the City Council.

“In my own particular area of Cabra, there isn’t really proper alternatives.

“There are some events on during the day to attract the younger kids but the prime time between six and nine, in my opinion it’s really important to have alternative events and that’s not currently happening.”

Cost of clean up

According to Cllr Perry, clean up for bonfires can cost local councils “absolute thousands”.

“In some instances the greens act as [prevention] for flooding, and we’re damaging the infrastructure under the green,” he said.

“Which adds to the cost and also puts at risk those general areas from flooding.”

However, overall, Cllr Perry said the biggest issue surrounding illegal bonfires is the antisocial behaviour they attract.

Main image: The huge bonfire in Craigyhill, Larne, is lit on the "Eleventh night" to usher in the Twelfth commemorations. Picture date: Monday July 12, 2021.