Belfast: criminal probe launched over asbestos at bonfire site
The Northern Ireland Environment Agency is carrying out an investigation
Last updated 1st Aug 2025
A criminal investigation has been launched into a quantity of asbestos remaining at a site in south Belfast, it emerged today (Friday).
The site, located between the Donegall Road and the Westlink, hit the headlines last month when an Eleventh night bonfire was sited and lit despite the presence of asbestos, as well as its proximity to an electricity sub station.
Stormont Agriculture and Environment Minister Andrew Muir said today the presence of asbestos on the site, which is privately owned, is now under criminal investigation by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA).
A spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs confirmed a criminal investigation has been initiated.
"While the immediate focus for the NIEA is on the efforts by the landowner to remove the asbestos pile safely from the site, it should be noted that as NIEA has initiated a criminal investigation into this matter the agency is unable to comment further on the specifics of this site.
"It is important to note that removing the asbestos will be a highly specialised, complex and delicate operation that will require the site to be fully vacated. Indeed, the work is of such complexity that the full removal will take a number of weeks."