Police have been urged to intervene after a replica of a mosque was placed on top of a loyalist bonfire pyre in Moygashel, County Tyrone. The model was visible on the pyre on Thursday, drawing widespread condemnation from human rights groups and politicians.
Arrest Made by PSNI
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed that 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. The bonfire, constructed from pallets, is scheduled to be set alight on Friday night.
Political Protest Claimed
The Moygashel Bonfire Association described the display 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. In a social media statement, the association said: “Our display may well shock, offend or outrage others, but nonetheless it is an exercise in our rights under Article 10 of the ECHR… If there was no uncontrolled illegal mass immigration, we would have no need to protest on this issue.” They emphasized that the display does not target any individual but is aimed at ideology and government policy.
Amnesty International Condemns 'Vile Display'
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’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 Leaders React
Fermanagh and South Tyrone Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew called the display “deplorable” and a “clear hate crime.” He stated: “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,” adding: “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.” SDLP councillor Carl Whyte called the display “absolutely disgusting,” telling 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, there was condemnation after effigies of migrants in a boat were burned on the Moygashel fire. Last month in Moygashel, police removed a banner from a children’s playpark, saying it was being treated as a hate crime. 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 the focus of contention due to the placing of flags, effigies and election posters on the structures before they are ignited.
