'Veil of secrecy' around wildfire arsonists in Mournes

As large wildfires continue to rage in the Mourne Mountains, the environment minister has rejected a claim there are no consequences for people who deliberately set fires in the countryside.

Andrew Muir said arsonists could face prison in some cases, but he added that the authorities need the public's help to bring them to justice.

"There does seem to be maybe a veil of secrecy around this, no-one is giving up the culprits who are involved," the minister said.

On Monday, a Mourne Mountain Rescue team co-ordinator said the challenge with recurring wildfires is that "there are no consequences" for those responsible.

Martin McMullan said the fires in the mountains at the weekend "definitely didn't look like they started from a recreational source".

"The areas where they started were almost inaccessible to the general public.

"This happens year after year... and there's no consequences for those that are undertaking these actions," McMullan said.

Muir said he had spoken to the Mourne Mountain Rescue team on Monday and shared the "concern that we're not getting cases into the criminal justice system".

Speaking on the BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme, Muir pointed out that rural arson offences already exist "which could result in custodial sentences".

However, he argued that there needs to be a "step change in attitude around the acceptability of these offences".

"I am appealing to people today - if anyone is aware of anyone who has deliberately set malicious fires in the countryside - you must come forward and report whatever you know either to the police or anonymously to Crimestoppers.

"We need you to come forward so we can take those cases through the criminal justice system," the minister said.

Muir added that as well as putting a drain on firefighters' resources, wildfires were also endangering homes, businesses, communities and the environment.

Since the weekend, firefighters have been tackling wildfires in the Ballagh Road, Newcastle, and Sandbank Road, Hilltown, areas of Mourne Mountains.

On Monday the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said its operations in the Mournes were expected to "continue across the week".

There have been up to 100 firefighters in attendance at both incidents and the NIFRS had asked the public to avoid the area while the fires are dealt with.

A number of residents in the area were on standby to evacuate their homes.

The wildfire in the Ballagh Road was dealt with by 10:08 BST on Tuesday.

The NIFRS said at the height of the incident more than 80 firefighters were involved in tackling the fire which had spread 1,000 hectares.

It added that the cause is believed to be deliberate ignition.

About 50 firefighters are continuing to fight the blaze in the Sandbank Road area, which has a fire front of more than 500m.

Firefighters also responded to a number of other smaller wildfires in Belfast, Armagh, Lurgan and Rathfriland.

Muir thanked NIFRS for their "unstinting commitment" in tackling the fires, acknowledging it was a "difficult job".

NIFRS Area Commander Ryan Thompson, who is at the fire in the Sandbank Road area in Hilltown, said crews have been "working tirelessly over the last few days" to bring the fire under control.

Thompson said the NIFRS are currently deploying specialist teams to work with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and the forestry service to work to try and stop the fire spreading into more forests.

He described how if the fire reaches the forests it can cause "untold damage" and "untold losses to the forestry service".

Thompson said the PSNI and the NIEA would be investigating what started the fires.

The Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) has warned of the "significant and lasting damage" of wildfires and urged the public "to act responsibly and follow all safety advice".

In a statement, the union also reminded farmers of the controlled burning period, which runs from 1 September and ended on 14 April.

The UFU said it has "consistently raised concerns" with the Department of Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs (Daera) and NIEA about "the impact of reduced livestock grazing and limitations on active land management".

"Livestock grazing, controlled burning and flailing are all key tools in helping to prevent wildfires by reducing vegetation and limiting the spread of fire," it added.

The Mournes wildfires took hold on the same weekend that the first wildfire warning of the year was issued following a prolonged spell of dry weather.

The minister was asked if areas vulnerable to wildfires should be patrolled at this time of year to prevent future arson attacks.

"In terms of the Mournes and many other areas across Northern Ireland, including, for example the Sperrins, they're very large geographic areas and we can't have individuals everywhere," Muir replied.

The minister said he had spoken to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and they had "issued a statement making it very clear that they will carry out investigations around this".

In that statement issued on Monday, PSNI Insp Paddy Heatley warned that deliberately starting a wildfire is a criminal offence.

He adding that, when identified, those responsible "can expect to be arrested and brought before court".

He said police gather all available evidence "to enable us to identify any action which would constitute a crime, and hold those responsible legally to account".

Last week, the Mourne Heritage Trust charity expressed concern about the loss of "engagement rangers" in the Mourne Mountains.

The roles were introduced in response to record visitor numbers in the Mournes during the Covid pandemic.

Initially, three rangers worked on the ground to advise visitors on a range of issues - from wildfire risks to managing dogs on leads to hiking in changing terrain.

However, a lack of funding saw the number of those roles reduced, with the last engagement ranger leaving his post in December.

Daera published its wildfire action earlier this month.

It set out a coordinated response to what officials described as a growing threat.

It includes dozens of measures aimed at improving resilience and reducing the frequency and severity of fires.