‘Family fun’ bonfires planned

Organised “family fun” bonfires may be piloted in Co Cork this year in an effort to counter anti-social behaviour which has become part and parcel of such celebrations.

Cllr Michael Hegarty, chairman of the county’s joint policing committee, has asked county council officials to look at the possibility of introducing such events. The move came after it emerged that bonfires organised by Cork City Council had proved a significant success in reducing disturbances at the events which traditionally occur in June and at Halloween.

Mr Hegarty was responding to statistics released by gardaí in the city which showed that organised bonfires were responsible for a significant reduction in bad behaviour.