The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has stated that the display of a replica mosque on top of a loyalist bonfire pyre in Moygashel, County Tyrone, is being treated as a hate-motivated criminal offence. A 56-year-old man was arrested on Thursday and remains in police custody as investigations continue.
Widespread condemnation from political and religious leaders
The bonfire, constructed from pallets and due to be lit on Friday evening, also features signs reading "Secure our borders" and "End the threat of radical Islam." The Moygashel Bonfire Association described the display as a "political protest" against "uncontrolled illegal mass immigration." However, the replica mosque has been condemned by political parties, religious leaders, and human rights groups across Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn called it a "sickening and cowardly act of intimidation" in a social media post, adding that it "does not represent the vast majority of people in Northern Ireland." He urged unity and a complete rejection of such hatred.
Religious leaders denounce the display
Archbishop John McDowell and Archbishop Eamon Martin issued a joint statement describing the replica mosque as "grossly offensive." They said the targeting of the Muslim community "through crude symbols and threats of violence by sinister forces" undermines gospel principles of respect and compassion, as well as freedom of religion. "We urge Christians, and all people of good will, to reflect carefully on their actions which can ignite violence against innocent people," they added.
Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International’s Northern Ireland director, said: "This vile display is a blatant attempt to stir up anti-Muslim hatred and intimidate local families. It must be met with a decisive response by the police." He noted that placing an effigy of a mosque on a bonfire amounts to incitement to hatred, which is a crime under Northern Ireland law.
Political parties respond
The DUP stated that while they support the right to lawful political expression, the placing of flags, effigies, or other items on bonfires is not part of the traditional 11th of July celebrations. A party spokesperson said: "Where the law is broken, it should be enforced."
Ulster Unionist Party Leader Jon Burrows called for the "immediate removal of the offensive display," warning that images of the bonfire would damage Northern Ireland’s reputation and play into the hands of critics of unionist and loyalist culture.
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew described the display as "deplorable" and a "clear hate crime," urging the PSNI to investigate urgently. Alliance Party councillor Eddie Roofe called the bonfire "hateful and deeply offensive."
Moygashel Bonfire Association defends the protest
The Moygashel Bonfire Association defended the display as an act of political protest protected under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights. In a statement, they said: "Our display may well shock, offend or outrage others, but nonetheless it is an exercise in our rights… If there was no uncontrolled illegal mass immigration, we would have no need to protest on this issue." They emphasised that their opposition is to ideology and government policy, not to individuals.
The bonfire site has previously attracted controversy; last year, effigies of migrants in a boat were burned on the same pyre. Eleventh night bonfires are traditionally lit across Northern Ireland ahead of the Orange Order’s July 12 parades, with most passing off peacefully, though some have sparked contention due to offensive materials placed on them.
