People build a bonfire, in the bogside area of Londonderry, which is traditionally torched on August 15 to mark a Catholic feast day celebrating the assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven, but in modern times the fire has become a source of contention and associated with anti-social behaviour. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday August 15, 2017. Disorder flared in Londonderry on Monday night as bonfire-builders attacked police and members of the public. Police said those gathered at the controversial fire site in Derry's Bogside threw rocks and stones at local people before targeting police with petrol bombs and other missiles. See PA story ULSTER Bonfire. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire

People hold flags to be burnt on a bonfire, in the bogside area of Londonderry, which is traditionally torched on August 15 to mark a Catholic feast day celebrating the assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven, but in modern times the fire has become a source of contention and associated with anti-social behaviour. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday August 15, 2017. Disorder flared in Londonderry on Monday night as bonfire-builders attacked police and members of the public. Police said those gathered at the controversial fire site in Derry's Bogside threw rocks and stones at local people before targeting police with petrol bombs and other missiles. See PA story ULSTER Bonfire. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire

People build a bonfire in the bogside area of Londonderry, which is traditionally torched on August 15 to mark a Catholic feast day celebrating the assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven, but in modern times the fire has become a source of contention and associated with anti-social behaviour. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday August 15, 2017. Disorder flared in Londonderry on Monday night as bonfire-builders attacked police and members of the public. Police said those gathered at the controversial fire site in Derry's Bogside threw rocks and stones at local people before targeting police with petrol bombs and other missiles. See PA story ULSTER Bonfire. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire

People build a bonfire in the bogside area of Londonderry, which is traditionally torched on August 15 to mark a Catholic feast day celebrating the assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven, but in modern times the fire has become a source of contention and associated with anti-social behaviour. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday August 15, 2017. Disorder flared in Londonderry on Monday night as bonfire-builders attacked police and members of the public. Police said those gathered at the controversial fire site in Derry's Bogside threw rocks and stones at local people before targeting police with petrol bombs and other missiles. See PA story ULSTER Bonfire. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Poppy wreaths on a bonfire, in the bogside area of Londonderry, which is traditionally torched on August 15 to mark a Catholic feast day celebrating the assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven, but in modern times the fire has become a source of contention and associated with anti-social behaviour. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday August 15, 2017. Disorder flared in Londonderry on Monday night as bonfire-builders attacked police and members of the public. Police said those gathered at the controversial fire site in Derry's Bogside threw rocks and stones at local people before targeting police with petrol bombs and other missiles. See PA story ULSTER Bonfire. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Flags to be burnt on top of a bonfire, in the bogside area of Londonderry, which is traditionally torched on August 15 to mark a Catholic feast day celebrating the assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven, but in modern times the fire has become a source of contention and associated with anti-social behaviour. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday August 15, 2017. Disorder flared in Londonderry on Monday night as bonfire-builders attacked police and members of the public. Police said those gathered at the controversial fire site in Derry's Bogside threw rocks and stones at local people before targeting police with petrol bombs and other missiles. See PA story ULSTER Bonfire. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire

A world war I commemorative plaque on a bonfire, in the bogside area of Londonderry, which is traditionally torched on August 15 to mark a Catholic feast day celebrating the assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven, but in modern times the fire has become a source of contention and associated with anti-social behaviour. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday August 15, 2017. Disorder flared in Londonderry on Monday night as bonfire-builders attacked police and members of the public. Police said those gathered at the controversial fire site in Derry's Bogside threw rocks and stones at local people before targeting police with petrol bombs and other missiles. See PA story ULSTER Bonfire. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Flags to be burnt on top of a bonfire, in the bogside area of Londonderry, which is traditionally torched on August 15 to mark a Catholic feast day celebrating the assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven, but in modern times the fire has become a source of contention and associated with anti-social behaviour. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday August 15, 2017. Disorder flared in Londonderry on Monday night as bonfire-builders attacked police and members of the public. Police said those gathered at the controversial fire site in Derry's Bogside threw rocks and stones at local people before targeting police with petrol bombs and other missiles. See PA story ULSTER Bonfire. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire

A painting of police Landrover and a petrol bomb on a bonfire in the bogside area of Londonderry, which is traditionally torched on August 15 to mark a Catholic feast day celebrating the assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven, but in modern times the fire has become a source of contention and associated with anti-social behaviour. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday August 15, 2017. Disorder flared in Londonderry on Monday night as bonfire-builders attacked police and members of the public. Police said those gathered at the controversial fire site in Derry's Bogside threw rocks and stones at local people before targeting police with petrol bombs and other missiles. See PA story ULSTER Bonfire. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire

People watch a bonfire in the bogside area of Londonderry, which is traditionally torched on August 15 to mark a Catholic feast day celebrating the assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven, but in modern times the fire has become a source of contention and associated with anti-social behaviour. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday August 15, 2017. Disorder flared in Londonderry on Monday night as bonfire-builders attacked police and members of the public. Police said those gathered at the controversial fire site in Derry's Bogside threw rocks and stones at local people before targeting police with petrol bombs and other missiles. See PA story ULSTER Bonfire. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire

People watch a bonfire in the bogside area of Londonderry, which is traditionally torched on August 15 to mark a Catholic feast day celebrating the assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven, but in modern times the fire has become a source of contention and associated with anti-social behaviour. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday August 15, 2017. Disorder flared in Londonderry on Monday night as bonfire-builders attacked police and members of the public. Police said those gathered at the controversial fire site in Derry's Bogside threw rocks and stones at local people before targeting police with petrol bombs and other missiles. See PA story ULSTER Bonfire. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire

People watch a bonfire, from the top of a cannon on Derry city walls in the bogside area of Londonderry, which is traditionally torched on August 15 to mark a Catholic feast day celebrating the assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven, but in modern times the fire has become a source of contention and associated with anti-social behaviour. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday August 15, 2017. Disorder flared in Londonderry on Monday night as bonfire-builders attacked police and members of the public. Police said those gathered at the controversial fire site in Derry's Bogside threw rocks and stones at local people before targeting police with petrol bombs and other missiles. See PA story ULSTER Bonfire. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire

People watch a bonfire in the bogside area of Londonderry, which is traditionally torched on August 15 to mark a Catholic feast day celebrating the assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven, but in modern times the fire has become a source of contention and associated with anti-social behaviour. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday August 15, 2017. Disorder flared in Londonderry on Monday night as bonfire-builders attacked police and members of the public. Police said those gathered at the controversial fire site in Derry's Bogside threw rocks and stones at local people before targeting police with petrol bombs and other missiles. See PA story ULSTER Bonfire. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire

A bonfire in the bogside area of Londonderry, which is traditionally torched on August 15 to mark a Catholic feast day celebrating the assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven, but in modern times the fire has become a source of contention and associated with anti-social behaviour. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday August 15, 2017. Disorder flared in Londonderry on Monday night as bonfire-builders attacked police and members of the public. Police said those gathered at the controversial fire site in Derry's Bogside threw rocks and stones at local people before targeting police with petrol bombs and other missiles. See PA story ULSTER Bonfire. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire

A bonfire in the bogside area of Londonderry, which is traditionally torched on August 15 to mark a Catholic feast day celebrating the assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven, but in modern times the fire has become a source of contention and associated with anti-social behaviour. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday August 15, 2017. Disorder flared in Londonderry on Monday night as bonfire-builders attacked police and members of the public. Police said those gathered at the controversial fire site in Derry's Bogside threw rocks and stones at local people before targeting police with petrol bombs and other missiles. See PA story ULSTER Bonfire. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire

A bonfire in the bogside area of Londonderry, which is traditionally torched on August 15 to mark a Catholic feast day celebrating the assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven, but in modern times the fire has become a source of contention and associated with anti-social behaviour. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday August 15, 2017. Disorder flared in Londonderry on Monday night as bonfire-builders attacked police and members of the public. Police said those gathered at the controversial fire site in Derry's Bogside threw rocks and stones at local people before targeting police with petrol bombs and other missiles. See PA story ULSTER Bonfire. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire

A man sets fire to a bonfire in the bogside area of Londonderry, which is traditionally torched on August 15 to mark a Catholic feast day celebrating the assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven, but in modern times the fire has become a source of contention and associated with anti-social behaviour. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday August 15, 2017. Disorder flared in Londonderry on Monday night as bonfire-builders attacked police and members of the public. Police said those gathered at the controversial fire site in Derry's Bogside threw rocks and stones at local people before targeting police with petrol bombs and other missiles. See PA story ULSTER Bonfire. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire

A bonfire in the bogside area of Londonderry, which is traditionally torched on August 15 to mark a Catholic feast day celebrating the assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven, but in modern times the fire has become a source of contention and associated with anti-social behaviour. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday August 15, 2017. Disorder flared in Londonderry on Monday night as bonfire-builders attacked police and members of the public. Police said those gathered at the controversial fire site in Derry's Bogside threw rocks and stones at local people before targeting police with petrol bombs and other missiles. See PA story ULSTER Bonfire. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire

A bonfire in the bogside area of Londonderry, which is traditionally torched on August 15 to mark a Catholic feast day celebrating the assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven, but in modern times the fire has become a source of contention and associated with anti-social behaviour. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday August 15, 2017. Disorder flared in Londonderry on Monday night as bonfire-builders attacked police and members of the public. Police said those gathered at the controversial fire site in Derry's Bogside threw rocks and stones at local people before targeting police with petrol bombs and other missiles. See PA story ULSTER Bonfire. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Flags on a bonfire, in the bogside area of Londonderry, which is traditionally torched on August 15 to mark a Catholic feast day celebrating the assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven, but in modern times the fire has become a source of contention and associated with anti-social behaviour. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday August 15, 2017. Disorder flared in Londonderry on Monday night as bonfire-builders attacked police and members of the public. Police said those gathered at the controversial fire site in Derry's Bogside threw rocks and stones at local people before targeting police with petrol bombs and other missiles. See PA story ULSTER Bonfire. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Flags on a bonfire, in the bogside area of Londonderry, which is traditionally torched on August 15 to mark a Catholic feast day celebrating the assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven, but in modern times the fire has become a source of contention and associated with anti-social behaviour. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday August 15, 2017. Disorder flared in Londonderry on Monday night as bonfire-builders attacked police and members of the public. Police said those gathered at the controversial fire site in Derry's Bogside threw rocks and stones at local people before targeting police with petrol bombs and other missiles. See PA story ULSTER Bonfire. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Flags on a bonfire, in the bogside area of Londonderry, which is traditionally torched on August 15 to mark a Catholic feast day celebrating the assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven, but in modern times the fire has become a source of contention and associated with anti-social behaviour. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday August 15, 2017. Disorder flared in Londonderry on Monday night as bonfire-builders attacked police and members of the public. Police said those gathered at the controversial fire site in Derry's Bogside threw rocks and stones at local people before targeting police with petrol bombs and other missiles. See PA story ULSTER Bonfire. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire

People watch a bonfire, from the top of a cannon on Derry city walls in the bogside area of Derry. Niall Carson/PA Wire

The two poppy wreaths pictured on the Bogside bonfire in Derry

There was outrage last night after two poppy wreaths were burnt on a controversial bonfire in Derry.

The wreaths, which had been stolen from the War Memorial in the city's Diamond, were placed on the Bogside pyre along with Union, UDA, Parachute Regiment and Somme commemoration flags.

DUP councillor Graham Warke, who reported the burning of the wreaths to the PSNI, said it was "a vile act".

"It is a total disgrace," he added.

"It's such a shame to see this happening.

"These have been stolen from the War Memorial in the centre of Londonderry, a memorial which commemorates the dead from both sides of the community.

"I would expect that all right-minded people from all sections of the community will be utterly offended by this sight and condemn this vile act."

Up to 800 people gathered at the bonfire on the embankment overlooking the Bogside last night to watch the pyre being set alight.

Agreement had been reached just days before on the location of the bonfire after talks between young people and community activists.

It had been constructed and ignited in the middle of Lecky Road last year after the bonfire-builders had their original material seized.

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Bonfires are traditionally lit on August 15 in nationalist areas of Derry to mark the Feast of the Assumption, a Catholic holy day celebrating the Virgin Mary's ascension into Heaven.

Belfast Telegraph