Police have been urged to intervene after a replica of a mosque was placed on top of a loyalist bonfire pyre in Moygashel, Co Tyrone. The model was visible on the pyre on Thursday, and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed one man has been arrested.
Signs reading “Secure our borders” and “End the threat of radical Islam” were also placed on the fire, which is constructed from pallets and is scheduled to be set alight on Friday night. The same bonfire site has sparked controversy in previous years, including last year when effigies of migrants in a boat were burned.
Amnesty International Condemns ‘Vile Display’
Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International’s Northern Ireland director, described the display as a “vile display” and a “blatant attempt to stir up anti-Muslim hatred and intimidate local families.” He added: “It must be met with a decisive response by the police. The placing of an effigy of a mosque on top of a bonfire amounts to incitement to hatred directed at real people who live, work and raise families in Northern Ireland. It is a crime under Northern Ireland law to distribute materials that are intended or likely to stir up racial or religious hatred or arouse fear. The police must investigate this as a potential crime, identify and hold to account those responsible, and ensure this material is swiftly removed before it can be used to incite further hatred and violence.”
PSNI Arrest and Political Condemnation
A PSNI spokesperson said: “Police are aware of the item placed on top of the bonfire in Moygashel. A 56-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of contravention of Article 9 of the Public Order (NI) Order 1987. He remains in custody at this time.”
Fermanagh and South Tyrone Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew called the display “deplorable” and a “clear hate crime.” He said: “This is fuelled by hate and those that seek to bring division to our communities. There is no place in our society for racism, and it is the responsibility of all political representatives and community leaders to stand against it. The PSNI must investigate this as a matter of urgency to remove this disgraceful display.”
Alliance Party councillor Eddie Roofe described the bonfire as “hateful and deeply offensive.” He stated: “The placing of this model on top of the bonfire is utterly abhorrent. Those responsible seek only to instil fear and spread hatred towards a specific group of people who call Northern Ireland their home, and it must be removed immediately. There is no place for this behaviour in our society. People should be free to live without fear of themselves or their families being targeted or subjected to discrimination. It is unacceptable that year after year, we continue to witness these hateful and deeply offensive displays.”
SDLP councillor Carl Whyte called the display “absolutely disgusting” and told the BBC Good Morning Ulster programme: “The singling out of an entire religion, an entire faith, is just shameful.”
Context of Eleventh Night Bonfires
Eleventh night bonfires will be lit across Northern Ireland on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings ahead of the Orange Order’s July 12 parades on Monday. While most bonfires pass off without incident, several have become contentious due to the placement of flags, effigies and election posters on the structures before they are ignited. Last month in Moygashel, police removed a banner from a children’s playpark, treating it as a hate crime.
