Mayo County Council issue warning ahead of bonfire night

MAYO people lighting bonfires to celebrate St John's Night this evening have been advised not to burn waste and other toxic materials.

Mayo County Council issued the reminder ahead of this evening's annual St John’s Night bonfire celebrations which are expected to take place in communities across Mayo to celebrate the midsummer festival.

The tradition of lighting bonfires on June 23 is still active in rural communities in Mayo with villages gathering items to be thrown on the bonfire to be lit. Wood and straw have been the materials burnt in traditional bonfires but it has become an excuse for people to get rid of other wastes which can produce toxic fumes. 

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In a post issued on the local authority's social media platform, Mayo County Council stated that only untreated wood waste should be used on bonfires.

“If you are planning a bonfire to celebrate St John's Eve remember to do so with great care for your safety and the environment. Burning if all types of waste is bonfires is strictly prohibited,” the post read. 

In previous years, Mayo County Council officials in its environmental department have inspected bonfire sites to remove items deemed harmful to the environment ahead of the annual St John’s Night bonfires on Sunday.

Last year, a number of items considered to be waste were removed from a site in Ballina following complaints by members of the public while a small number of items were also removed from a bonfire following an inspection on Achill Island.

The removal of materials from bonfires have proved to be controversial in the past with some public representatives suggesting that money would be better spent elsewhere.

Mayo County Council previously stated that money spent removing items from bonfires was ringfenced for the removal of waste from public areas and was not taken from any other fund.