A 56-year-old man has been charged with incitement to hatred after a replica mosque was placed on top of a loyalist bonfire in Moygashel, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. The model was clearly visible on the structure on Thursday, alongside placards reading "Secure our borders" and "End the threat of radical Islam."
Bonfire Lit Early to Prevent Removal
The bonfire, scheduled to be ignited on Friday night, was instead set ablaze on Thursday evening, according to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). A spokesperson stated: "Had the bonfire not been lit police would have secured the site and removed the offending material and seized it as evidence." The PSNI described the operation to remove the hate display as "complex" due to the early lighting.
Police Investigation and Charges
Chief Superintendent Norman Haslett said: "Hate crime has no place in our society and will not be tolerated. That is why tonight we commenced a proactive policing operation to take action and remove the hate display from Moygashel Bonfire. In advance of police arrival the bonfire was set alight a day in advance to prevent removal of the criminal material." He added: "Where there is evidence that offences have been committed, we will take robust action. As part of our ongoing investigation, a 56-year-old man has been charged with incitement to hatred. He is due to appear before Dungannon Magistrates' Court on Friday 10 July. As is normal procedure, all charges are reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service."
Condemnation from Amnesty International
Amnesty International condemned the display 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, stated: "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."
Ongoing Controversy
The same bonfire has sparked controversy in previous years. In 2025, effigies of migrants in a boat were set alight on the Moygashel fire, drawing widespread condemnation. Eleventh night bonfires are set to 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 proceed without incident, some have become flashpoints for controversy, with flags, effigies, and election posters placed on the pyres prior to ignition.
