'Racist' bonfire with effigy of migrants in life jackets set alight in Northern Ireland
A sign saying 'stop the boats' was attached to the pyre in Moygashel, on the outskirts of Dungannon in Co Tyrone in Northern Ireland, prompting protests.
Another of the placards included stated: 'Veterans before refugees.'
The Moygashel bonfire is part of the wider Eleventh Night celebrations in Northern Ireland, which take place on the night of July 11 each year.
These bonfires are rooted in Protestant unionist and loyalist tradition and serve as a lead-up to The Twelfth on July 12, a public holiday marking the key historical Battle of the Boyne.
The battle happened when Protestant King William of Orange defeated Catholic King James II thereby securing a Protestant line of succession to the British Crown.
An Irish tricolour flag was also placed on the bonfire, which is among around 300 which be burned across Thursday and Friday night in the region.
Sinn Fein's Assembly member for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, Colm Gildernew, has been among those calling out the 'vile' and 'deplorable' display.
Up in flames: The pyre has now been burned as a part of the group's annual traditions
Gildernew also called for fellow politicians to take action against the installation.
Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland John McDowell described it as 'racist, threatening and offensive'.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland earlier said they were investigating 'material placed upon a bonfire in Moygashel as a hate incident'.
The Moygashel bonfire has become well known in recent years for itscontentious displays.
Last year, a mock police car was burnt on top of the bonfire, and in 2023, a boat designed to represent the post-Brexit Irish Sea economic border was torched.
The bonfire was built days ahead of loyalist groups' annual Twelfth of July parades.
Earlier on Thursday, police said they had received a number of reports regarding the bonfire in Moygashel and the material on it.
They said: 'Police are investigating this hate incident. Police are here to help those who are or who feel vulnerable, to keep people safe.'
The statement continued: 'We do this by working with local communities, partners, elected representatives and other stakeholders to deliver local solutions to local problems, building confidence in policing and supporting a safe environment for people to live, work, visit and invest in Northern Ireland, but we can only do so within the legislative framework that exists.'
SDLP leader Claire Hanna also condemned the bonfire, accusing some involved in the bonfire tradition in Northern Ireland of appearing to be motivated by 'hate, confrontation and media rows'.
On X she wrote: 'Intricate effigies of humans beings, for burning. Who is this for?'
However, prominent loyalist activist Jamie Bryson insisted the display was a form of 'artistic protest', saying: 'Every year Moygashel bonfire combines artistic protest with their cultural celebration.'
He said on X: 'Their yearly art has itself become a tradition. This year the focus is on the scandal of mass illegal immigration.'
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