A replica of a mosque was placed on top of a loyalist bonfire pyre in Moygashel, Co Tyrone, prompting widespread condemnation and a police arrest. The model was visible on the pyre on Thursday, ahead of the Eleventh Night celebrations.
Arrest and Political Condemnation
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed the arrest of a 56-year-old man on suspicion of contravening Article 9 of the Public Order (NI) Order 1987. He remains in custody. Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn described the display as a “sickening and cowardly act of intimidation.” In a social media post, Benn said: “The placement of a replica mosque on the Moygashel bonfire is a sickening and cowardly act of intimidation. This is not about tradition, and in no way does it represent the vast majority of people in Northern Ireland. We must stand united and completely reject such hatred.”
Bonfire Association's Justification
The Moygashel Bonfire Association defended the bonfire as an act of “political protest” against “uncontrolled illegal mass immigration.” Signs reading “Secure our borders” and “End the threat of radical Islam” were also placed on the pyre, which is made of pallets and scheduled to be set alight on Friday night. In a statement, the association said: “This year we have focused on an issue of significant public interest. Our display may well shock, offend or outrage others, but nonetheless it is an exercise in our rights under Article 10 of the ECHR.” They added: “Our display expressly does NOT target any individual. Our opposition is not to people, but rather to ideology and Government policy. Once this is appreciated, then it is very clear this is no more and no less than an act of protest, which is lawful protected expression.”
Amnesty International's Response
Amnesty International described the bonfire as a “vile display” and a “blatant attempt to stir up anti-Muslim hatred and intimidate local families.” 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. 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.”
Political Reactions Across Parties
Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows called for the “immediate removal of the offensive display.” He said: “Bonfires are an important cultural tradition for many within the unionist community, and there will be many peaceful and respectful bonfires across Northern Ireland over the coming days. However, that tradition is undermined when bonfires are used to intimidate, provoke or demean others. There can be no place for placing any place of worship on a bonfire and setting it alight. It is simply wrong. Sadly, images of this bonfire will once again travel around the world, damaging Northern Ireland’s reputation and playing into the hands of critics of unionist and loyalist culture.”
Fermanagh and South Tyrone Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew described the display as “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 called the bonfire “hateful and deeply offensive.” He said: “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.”
SDLP councillor Carl Whyte described the display as “absolutely disgusting” and told BBC Good Morning Ulster: “The singling out of an entire religion, an entire faith, is just shameful.”
Previous Controversies
The same bonfire site has attracted controversy in previous years. Last year, effigies of migrants in a boat were burned on the Moygashel fire, drawing condemnation. In June, police removed a banner from a children’s playpark in Moygashel, treating it as a hate crime.
