Fireworks crackdown and council-run fireworks halted

POLICE in Tyrone have pledged to crack down on fireworks and disturbances in the run up to Halloween, as large council-run celebrations have been halted by Covid for the second year.

While this Friday marks the deadline for applying for an official fireworks licence, the PSNI have already made several seizures of illegal fireworks over the last number of weeks, and say their dedicated patrols will continue ahead of next weekend.

Both Mid Ulster and Fermanagh and Omagh councils have confirmed there will be no major public celebration, or fireworks events this year, to help stop the spread of corona virus.

In Omagh, the police said some of their officers “will be on the beat or in patrol cars, but we have also deployed a number of plain clothes officers throughout the town”.

In a joint graphic video appeal published on social media, the police and fire service displayed some shocking images of the severe injuries caused by fireworks.

In the video, Inspector Joni Beatty, a neighbourhood officer in the Fermanagh and Omagh area, said, “Halloween should be a time of fun and celebration for everyone. Fireworks are fun at an organised event, however in the wrong hands, fireworks can be very dangerous. They can cause serious injury, damage to property, and fear in the community – especially with the older generation and family pets.”

Inspector Beatty said there were only a small number of retailers licensed to sell fireworks, and that they should never be sold at markets.

Her colleague, Inspector Scott Fallis said officers would use their powers to search anyone they suspected to be in possession of illegal fireworks. A senior fire fighter also spoke of the danger posed by sparklers, which he said, burned at the same temperature as a welder.

Meanwhile, Mid Ulster District Council – which covers much of south Tyrone – have confirmed that no public fireworks will be held this year, and are, instead, hosting a series of craft events and shows for children during Halloween weekend.

Chair of the council, councillor Paul McLean, said, “This year, for the second Halloween in a row, we yet again find ourselves in a peculiar and exceptional situation due to the impact of Covid-19. The safety and well being of our residents and staff, and preventing the spread of Covid-19, must remain our top priority.”

When contacted by the Tyrone Herald, a spokesperson for Fermanagh and Omagh District Council said they were taking a similar approach.

“The lead-in time to organising a fireworks display is approximately four months. A decision was taken by the council in June to pursue an alternative Halloween to the usual fireworks display, given the ongoing Covid-19 health pandemic, and the uncertainty at that time of restrictions that may or may not be in place in October. The council has focused its efforts into offering smaller scale in-person family activities, in addition to providing support for community events through grant aid support,” said the spokesperson, who added that details of the events will be released this week.

Justice Minister Naomi Long has also added her voice to the safety appeals, and called on the community to play their part in stopping illegal fireworks. She said, “I encourage anyone who has information about the illegal sale and use of fireworks to contact the PSNI or anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”