Police in Belfast have retreated from a confrontation at a bonfire site over concerns innocent bystanders could be hurt, a senior commander has said.

As Northern Ireland once again prepares for the marching season, it is becoming increasingly evident that neither the police, local politicians nor the secretary of state has any control over the gangs of so-called Loyalists constructing bonfires the size of tower blocks close to homes, businesses and children’s play areas.

Dublin Fire Brigade says it received more than 200 Halloween-related fire calls yesterday.

Fumes from bonfires and fireworks can cause serious breathing difficulties for people with asthma.

Dublin City Council is reminding people that bonfires are illegal.

Dublin City Council says it has got an action plan in place to ensure everyone enjoys the festival safely with plenty of organised events being planned.

It has taken a decade of sustained effort, but the problem of illegal fires on Cork City’s traditional June 23 bonfire night has almost been stamped out.

A boy is in a critical condition in hospital after apparently coming into contact with hazardous material believed to have been dumped at a bonfire site in the North.

Cork County Council has said it will be difficult to take legal action against people who put household waste, old cars and car tyres into bonfires, because in most cases they are minors.

An Antrim man has said his family's pet cat has been badly burned after the 11th night bonfire when it was set alight.

The Dublin Fire Brigade has said in their live-tweeting of call outs this evening that they are answering a 999 call every 40 seconds.

This weekend is the busiest weekend of the year for fire crews across the country, with Halloween tomorrow night.

Update at 8.30pm: Dublin Fire Brigade says stones were thrown at its members as they attended the scene of a blaze tonight.

Firefighters responding to an illegal bonfire on the northside of Cork City were besieged last night by youths armed with stones, bricks and bottles.