Criminal Investigation Underway Into Asbestos At South Belfast Bonfire Site

A criminal investigation has been launched by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) into the presence of asbestos at a privately owned site in south Belfast, located between the Donegall Road and the Westlink. The site gained attention after an 11 July loyalist bonfire was lit despite the asbestos contamination and its proximity to an electricity substation. Environment Minister Andrew Muir emphasized the seriousness of the issue and confirmed that NIEA officials are actively working on it, with the asbestos removal being a highly specialized and complex operation that will take several weeks and require the site to be fully vacated. The NIEA had previously removed about 20 kilograms of asbestos from the site, but further fragments were found, prompting ongoing efforts to ensure safe removal. Local politicians, including DUP MLA Edwin Poots, have welcomed the investigation and the push for landowners to meet their responsibilities. The landowners, Boron Developments, have been contacted for comment, while NIEA continues with the environmental crime inquiry and monitoring.