Fiery festivities: Twelfth bonfires spark 203 emergency calls; Other Slogans, Kill all Catholics, I ask Helen Mc Entee, plenty of Hate here, but Irish Catholics, Who Cares, Millions Do??

A couple embrace at Craigyhill bonfire in Larne, Co Antrim. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA

July 13 2022 02:30 AM

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Fire and rescue crews in Northern Ireland received 203 emergency calls on the first night of celebrations for the Twelfth of July.

As hundreds of bonfires were lit across loyalist areas, Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (Nifrs) responded to 98 operational incidents.

A spokesperson said there was a 12.5pc decrease in bonfire incidents compared to 2021 as of yesterday, with the night’s activity reaching its peak between 11pm and 1am.

They added that between 6pm on Monday and 2am yesterday morning, 35 of the 98 operational incidents the fire service responded to related to bonfires.

The Eleventh Night (July 11) is traditionally the PSNI’s second busiest and most resource-intensive day of the year – with the Twelfth Night (July 12) being its busiest.