Three men from Derry have each been ordered to complete 150 hours of community service after admitting they set fire to loyalist bonfire material in the Fountain area.

Odhran Deehan (20), of Windmill Terrace, Liam Gallagher (21), of Quarry Street, and Crionhthann O'Kane (28), of Abbots Walk, pleaded guilty to the offence. The material was due to be burned at a loyalist bonfire in July 2025, but the incident occurred on 14 June last year.

Police had received reports of men wearing balaclavas travelling in a vehicle in a suspicious manner. Officers located the car and searched it, finding balaclavas and an aerosol.

Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott, representing Deehan, told the court that all three had entered guilty pleas at the earliest opportunity. He said they now regarded their actions as foolish and noted the bonfire structure was not well built.

District Judge Ted Magill criticised the men's conduct, saying it could have raised community tensions. He imposed 150 hours of community service on each defendant.