South and East Belfast Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Ó Donnghaile Warns Of Dangers Of Fireworks

Published: 1 October, 2007

East Belfast Sinn Féin Representative Niall Ó Donnghaile has appealed to parents not to buy or allow their children to play with illegal fireworks.

"Fireworks are a recurring problem year after year and there is a great danger of someone's home being set on fire or an oil tank going on fire putting lives at risk.

"An added element to this in East Belfast is the problems that can be caused by the use of these fireworks in interface areas.

"It is highly irresponsible of anyone to sell or supply these very dangerous fireworks to young children and we would call on them to desist from this. If there is a fire or some child is hurt the blame will lie solely on their doorstep. Parents need to be aware of the fact that these fireworks are being fired playfully at other children as well as adults and passing cars, and this could lead to serious injury or death.

"We have no problem with legal fireworks being used in a safe and supervised manner but throwing rockets at other people, their homes and cars, is not what could be described as safe. Sinn Féin would appeal to those selling illegal and sub standard fireworks to desist as it is nothing but a blight on our communities."