Craigyhill bonfire builder addresses safety fears after stunt

“We wouldn’t have let this guy go up on the fire unless he was harnessed, because we’ve had to follow these protocols (over) the past three years building these big fires,” he said.

“We’re not going to let someone else go on it and wreck it for us. We have to make sure we’re OK.”

The base jumper, who describes himself as an extreme sports athlete, has told BBC News NI that he approached the organisers about the possibility of jumping.

He also said he only went ahead with the jump when he was “100% satisfied” that it was safe to do so.

A spokesperson for the local council, Mid and East Antrim, said the council was not aware of the jump taking place.

The council also said it does not provide funding for the bonfire but it does cover the clean-up costs for all bonfires after what is known as the ‘eleventh night’.

Hundreds of bonfires are lit every year in unionist communities across Northern Ireland on the eve of the Twelfth of July, the main date in the annual parading season.

The Craigyhill bonfire has been the largest in NI in recent years.

In 2022 it reportedly reached about 202ft (62m) in height.

The same year, a man died after being fatally injured when he fell from a different bonfire, located nearby .