Political bonfire

[Gob]

In Northern Ireland, the Eleventh Night refers to the night before the Twelfth of July, the annual Protestant commemoration of the famous battle.

On this night, large towering bonfires are lit - with Irish flags placed on top - in many Protestant, unionist and loyalist communities where it is also known as 'bonfire night'.

Sometimes stacked by their thousands, the tyres in such bonfires around the region cast a plume of fire - and thick, toxic smoke caused by the burning rubber - high into the night sky.

The PSNI chief constable has revealed he is drafting in an extra 630 police officers from forces across the UK to help keep the peace on the streets over the Twelfth.

Mr Baggott denied claims that the unprecedented move was an indication he was concerned about serious disorder in places like Ardoyne but said the scale of this year's Twelfth event was unique.

The 30 units of specially trained additional public order officers will be used as a 'strategic reserve' and will be deployed to less sensitive areas accompanied by an armed PSNI officer.

Unionist anger has intensified in recent days over a decision to ban an Orange Order parade past a sectarian flash point.

While Orangemen will march past the Ardoyne shops on the Crumlin Road on Friday morning on their way to the annual Twelfth demonstration, the Parades Commission adjudication body has banned them from taking the same route on their return journey in the afternoon.

The interface area has been the scene of serious rioting on the Twelfth in recent years.

[oldr_n_wsr]

Quite the pallet pile.

Reminds me of the Texas A&M fisaco.

[MajGenl.Meade]