6 ms·

Rarely are all of the things burnt paid for. A lot of the pallets etc are stolen from local businesses.

by thepaulmcbride 3y ago

HeckFeck 3y ago
I think someone would notice if several thousand pallets were being stolen from his business.
- thombat 3y ago
  Given the long history of sectarian violence a business may notice but choose not to make a fuss. Especially a Catholic-owned business.
- thepaulmcbride 3y ago
  They definitely notice. https://belfastmedia.com/mystery-surrounds-source-of-thousands-of-pallets-and-pounds-going-up-in-smoke https://belfastmedia.com/mystery-surrounds-source-of-thousan... The red and blue pallets specifically are owned by just two companies. The pine pallets are stolen from local shopping centres etc.
  - HeckFeck 3y ago
    There isn’t any evidence in this article, just hearsay. I think if someone was driving a van out of a yard with dozens of palettes it would be noticed. And for them being red and blue, I think it is obvious why those colours would be purchased.
    - aardshark 3y ago
      17000 pallets are worth much more than £20,000, which apparently covers all the associated cost of the bonfire. They sure didn't buy all those pallets.
      - HeckFeck 3y ago
        If that’s really the case then that’s extremely regrettable. Again I’d need hard evidence to be convinced, but I’m not going to except theft even for a cultural occasion. They should be raising the money voluntarily and collecting donations without coercion. Otherwise they aren’t helping their cause.
  - thepaulmcbride 3y ago
    Another example from a few years back. https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/3000-bonfire-pallets-stolen-in-raid-on-belfast-council-depot/35856827.html https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/3000-... You can believe that an event mostly orchestrated by paramilitary gangs is above board if you wish, but I know first hand that many of these palettes are stolen.
- Dylan1312 3y ago
  Important context here is that many of these are in areas where businesses are still paying protection money to the paramilitary organisiations organising the bonfire.

Rarely are all of the things burnt paid for. A lot of the pallets etc are stolen from local businesses.

HeckFeck 3y ago

I think someone would notice if several thousand pallets were being stolen from his business.

thombat 3y ago
Given the long history of sectarian violence a business may notice but choose not to make a fuss. Especially a Catholic-owned business.
thepaulmcbride 3y ago
They definitely notice. https://belfastmedia.com/mystery-surrounds-source-of-thousands-of-pallets-and-pounds-going-up-in-smoke https://belfastmedia.com/mystery-surrounds-source-of-thousan... The red and blue pallets specifically are owned by just two companies. The pine pallets are stolen from local shopping centres etc.
- HeckFeck 3y ago
  There isn’t any evidence in this article, just hearsay. I think if someone was driving a van out of a yard with dozens of palettes it would be noticed. And for them being red and blue, I think it is obvious why those colours would be purchased.
  - aardshark 3y ago
    17000 pallets are worth much more than £20,000, which apparently covers all the associated cost of the bonfire. They sure didn't buy all those pallets.
    - HeckFeck 3y ago
      If that’s really the case then that’s extremely regrettable. Again I’d need hard evidence to be convinced, but I’m not going to except theft even for a cultural occasion. They should be raising the money voluntarily and collecting donations without coercion. Otherwise they aren’t helping their cause.
- thepaulmcbride 3y ago
  Another example from a few years back. https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/3000-bonfire-pallets-stolen-in-raid-on-belfast-council-depot/35856827.html https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/3000-... You can believe that an event mostly orchestrated by paramilitary gangs is above board if you wish, but I know first hand that many of these palettes are stolen.
Dylan1312 3y ago
Important context here is that many of these are in areas where businesses are still paying protection money to the paramilitary organisiations organising the bonfire.