Stormont's Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister has appealed for anyone with information about the lighting of wildfires to speak to the authorities. Andrew Muir made the call as firefighters continue to tackle blazes in the Mourne Mountains this week.
Massive Firefighting Operation Underway
Almost 100 firefighters were involved in the operation on Monday, which began at the weekend in several areas across the mountain range amid hot and dry weather. Mr Muir publicly thanked the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) for their work and commitment in tackling the fires, describing it as a difficult job.
Concerns Over Lack of Consequences
On Monday, Martin McMullan, team co-ordinator at Mourne Mountain Rescue, expressed concern that nothing is being done about those responsible for lighting the fires. He suggested the fires “didn’t look like they started from a recreational source”, adding “the areas where they started were almost inaccessible to the general public”.
“I think the challenge that we have is that there are no consequences. This happens year after year, even in the same areas and there are no consequences for those that are undertaking these actions,” he added.
Minister's Appeal for Information
On Tuesday, Mr Muir appealed to the public for anyone with information to come forward, expressing concern at a “veil of secrecy” around those responsible. “I am appealing to people today, if anyone is aware of anyone who has deliberately set malicious fires in the countryside, you must come forward and report whatever you know either to police or anonymously to crime stoppers,” he told BBC Radio Ulster.
“We need you to come forward so we can take those cases through the criminal justice system.”
Review of Legislation and Sentencing
Mr Muir also said his department is committed to reviewing the legislation around wildfire offences, while the Department of Justice is also undertaking a review of sentencing for environmental offences. “We take this issue seriously, those who are lighting these fires, who are causing destruction to the environment, but also potentially endangering lives.
“I have been speaking to people who are at their wits end and living in fear in terms of these wildfires in the countryside,” he said.
“I share the concern that we are not getting cases into the criminal justice system. There are already offences in place which could result in custodial sentences, but there does seem to be maybe a veil of secrecy around this, no one is giving up the culprits who are involved in setting what is essentially, rural arson.
“That is not right and we need to have a step change in attitude around the acceptability of these offences because not only is it taking the Fire and Rescue Service resources away, but it is also endangering homes, businesses and communities, and the destruction to our environment is absolutely heart-breaking to see that occur year after year.”
