District judge Barney McElholm has stated that those responsible for placing a replica mosque on top of a bonfire in Moygashel, Co Tyrone, have an 'agenda full of hate and bigotry towards others'. The comment came as he refused bail to Brian Conrad Neill, 56, of Hollow Mills, Newmills, Dungannon, who appeared in Dungannon Magistrates' Court on Friday charged with incitement to hatred.
Details of the Offence
The alleged offence occurred on Wednesday, the night the mosque was placed on the bonfire, which has drawn widespread condemnation. The court heard that Neill is accused of threatening, abusive, or insulting behaviour, or displaying written material intended to stir up hatred or arouse fear. Neill confirmed he understood the charges.
A detective constable said police were alerted on Wednesday night to a structure being added to the top of the Moygashel bonfire, covered by a blue tarpaulin. Around 70 to 100 people were present, with some males on top of the bonfire, some wearing dark clothing and balaclavas. One unmasked male appeared to assist two masked men in pulling up two signs: one read 'Secure our borders', the other 'End the threat of radical Islam'. When the tarpaulin was removed, a 'mosque-like' structure with Arabic writing translated as 'Islamic Fascism' was revealed.
Arrest and Interview
Neill was seen getting into a car, stopped by police, and arrested. During interview, he said he had been asked by two unknown masked males to assist in pulling the signs up the bonfire, then climbed down before the tarpaulin was removed, unaware of what was beneath it. He denied hatred of the Muslim faith.
The officer objected to bail, citing fear of reoffending and likelihood of ignoring conditions. She noted 'strong public feeling' and that police had dealt with a 'potential serious public order situation' at the site on Thursday night. She described Neill as 'influential' in the Moygashel area.
Defence Argument
A defence solicitor said Neill confirmed he was the unmasked individual on top of the bonfire, but the tarpaulin was removed after he climbed down. He said Neill arrived to meet friends and was approached by two masked men who asked him to fix a 'crooked' part of the structure due to his expertise as a tree surgeon. Neill claimed he did not know a replica mosque was under the tarpaulin and 'played no part' in the Moygashel Bonfire Association, which erected the bonfire. The solicitor stated, 'He was used by the more sinister elements in this group.'
Judge's Remarks
District Judge McElholm said the defendant asked the court to believe he 'just happened upon this incident'. He noted the Moygashel bonfire was 'notorious', adding that any reasonable person asked to help would 'recoil in horror'. He said: 'We have seen what they have been putting on top of the bonfire in recent years, a police car, a small boat full of immigrants. Needless to say the Moygashel bonfire has become notorious. It seems as if on each year they try to outdo the disgraceful nature of what they did the previous year. They don't need tree surgeons, they have been doing this for years.'
The judge contrasted this with many bonfires in Northern Ireland that go off 'completely peacefully'. He concluded: 'The people who run this particular bonfire have a clear agenda, it is an agenda full of hate and bigotry towards others.'
Outcome
The district judge refused bail, and Neill was remanded in custody until August 5.
