How The Irish News reported on the bonfire builder's previous convictions

A BONFIRE builder has hurled online sectarian abuse at Irish News readers after his past convictions were exposed – including a fine for stealing pallets.

Macauley McKinney spoke on TV last week to defend blocking a public car park at east Belfast's Bloomfield Walkway with a loyalist pyre.

It later emerged the 21-year-old was fined in 2015 for stealing pallets for a pyre, and was also convicted in the same year of stealing wreaths from a republican memorial on the Falls Road.

Responding to Facebook users commenting on The Irish News page, he branded them "a bunch of fenian keyboard freaks" adding "If you've something to say come to the walkway (sic)!"

He also hurled abuse at an Irish News reporter – who had earlier contacted him online for comment on his TV appearance but did not receive a response – after the paper on Saturday highlighted his prior convictions.

In a Facebook message to the journalist, he wrote: "See you yah fenian keyboard freak your nothing but a dirty storytelling scumbag (sic).

"See if your going to write story's come to my door personally and ask me!

McKinney was interviewed on BBC Newsline last week about the bonfire being built in a car park at Bloomfield Walkway.

The site on the Upper Newtownards Road has been at the centre of controversy over Belfast City Council storing thousands of pallets for bonfire builders.

Some 2,500 pallets were held for the Walkway area and around 300 for a pyre near a city centre hotel – and were due to be returned before the Eleventh Night.

The Walkway pallets were being stored on council land in the Gransha Road area, but were stolen last week – prompting a police investigation. It has been suggested the UDA removed the pallets.

McKinney told the BBC they "had an agreement with the council" and felt "let down".

He said that "because the agreement was broke we've just thought well, they've let us down so we'll let them ones down".