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The National
5 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Hate crime probe as migrant effigies burned on loyalist bonfire
There has been widespread condemnation from politicians and church leaders to the display on the bonfire in Moygashel, County Tyrone, which was set alight on Thursday night. The boat on top of the pyre contained more than a dozen life-sized mannequins wearing life jackets, while below it were placards saying 'stop the boats' and 'veterans before refugees'. Amnesty International's Northern Ireland director Patrick Corrigan said: 'It is shameful that the authorities allowed this despicable display of hate to go ahead. READ MORE: BBC issues correction after Scottish Government driving tests claim 'What a shocking message to send to local migrant families. 'It is just weeks since migrant families were forced to flee for their lives when their homes were attacked and set on fire – a chilling pattern of escalating hostility. 'The authorities must treat this as a hate crime, conduct a full investigation and ensure those responsible are held to account.' Corrigan added: 'Racism, xenophobia, and hate have no place here – and that must be made unmistakably clear.' Police said on Thursday they had received a number of reports regarding the bonfire in Moygashel and the material on it. A spokesperson said: 'Police are investigating this hate incident. 'Police are here to help those who are or who feel vulnerable, to keep people safe. '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.' Colm Gildernew called the effigy burning 'abhorrent' (Image: Supplied) Sinn Fein MLA Colm Gildernew said the bonfire 'was clearly intended to dehumanise people who come to our island seeking a better life'. He added: 'The effigies and displays were abhorrent, driven by vile, far-right and racist attitudes. 'I welcome that police are treating this as a hate incident. It's vital those responsible are held accountable for their disgusting actions. 'Diversity, inclusion and equality must always triumph over xenophobia and hate.' The Moygashel bonfire has become well known in recent years for contentious displays. Last year, a mock police car was burnt on the top of the bonfire and in 2023 a boat designed to represent the post-Brexit Irish Sea economic border was torched. Earlier this week, prominent loyalist activist Jamie Bryson said the bonfire was a form of 'artistic protest'. 'Every year Moygashel bonfire combines artistic protest with their cultural celebration,' he posted on social media. 'Their yearly art has itself become a tradition. This year the focus is on the scandal of mass illegal immigration.'
Metro
6 days ago
- Politics
- Metro
'Racist' bonfire with migrant dummies on a boat set on fire
A bonfire with a display of refugees in a boat was lit and is being treated as a hate incident. The model which shows a small boat with several figures inside has received widespread condemnation after it was set alight in Moygashel, Northern Ireland, last night. Under the boat, a sign said 'stop the boats', while another placard said: 'veterans before refugees'. Among those to hit out at it was Church of Ireland Archbishop John McDowell who said it was 'racist, threatening and offensive.' He added: 'It certainly has nothing whatsoever to do with Christianity or with Protestant culture and is in fact inhuman and deeply sub-Christian. 'I hope that the many people from other countries, who live in that area, and who contribute so much to the economy and to the diversity of Dungannon, can be reassured that it does not in any way represent the feeling of the vast majority of their neighbours.' Other critics include Sinn Fein's Assembly member Colm Gildernew who branded it 'vile' and 'deplorable'. A number of reports to police were made about the bonfire and the material on it and they are investigating it as a hate incident. The PSNI statement added: 'Police are here to help those who are or who feel vulnerable, to keep people safe. '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.' Moygashel Bonfire Committee said the bonfire 'topper' should not be seen as 'racist, threatening or offensive' and it is 'expressing our disgust at the ongoing crisis that is illegal immigration'. More Trending Bonfires like these are lit annually each year in some unionist areas across Northern Ireland in July to usher in the Twelfth of July, the main date in the parading season. The majority are lit on the eleventh night and the twelfth night commemorates the Battle of the Boyne in 1690 when the Protestant King William III defeated Catholic King James II. The Moygashel bonfire has been known for its controversial displays in the past. A mock police car was burnt on top of the bonfire last year and in 2023, a boat designed to represent the post-Brexit Irish Sea economic border was torched. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Woman charged with murder after man dies in house fire MORE: 'Beautiful and much-loved' mum and daughter, 6, killed in car crash named MORE: Rail ticket gives unlimited travel in 24 countries from £34 — but you need to be quick
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
'Racist' bonfire with effigy of migrants in life jackets set alight in Northern Ireland
Effigies of life jacket-wearing migrants in boats put on a village bonfire have been set alight - after the structure was dubbed 'sickening' and 'racist'. 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.'
ITV News
6 days ago
- Politics
- ITV News
Further safety concerns over asbestos at site of Belfast bonfire
Fresh safety concerns have been raised over asbestos at the site of a contentious loyalist bonfire in south Belfast which is due to be lit on Friday night. The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) said late on Thursday that suspected asbestos had been found at five locations on the bonfire site and 20kg of material was removed. Meanwhile, there has been further condemnation of the burning of a separate bonfire on Thursday in Co Tyrone which included an effigy of migrants in a boat. Controversy has surrounded the Belfast bonfire at Meridi Street off the Donegall Road which is also close to an electricity substation which powers two hospitals. The PSNI said on Thursday that the force would not agree to a request from Belfast City Council to remove the pyre. Later, the NIEA said an inspection had taken place at the site. A statement said: 'The Northern Ireland Environment Agency can confirm that fragments of suspected asbestos were found at five locations around the site. 'Approximately 20 kilogrammes of suspect material was identified and was immediately removed.' It added: 'The risk assessment that NIEA has provided to partners has consistently indicated that there was a strong possibility that fragments of asbestos could be elsewhere on the site. 'NIEA understand the landowner is due to arrange the removal of all of the asbestos from the site next week, commencing on 16 July 2025, but it is important to note that removing the asbestos will be a highly specialised, complex and delicate operation that will require the site to be fully vacated. 'Indeed, the work is of such complexity that the full removal will take a number of weeks.' Hundreds of bonfires will be lit on Friday night ahead of the Orange Order's July 12 parades on Saturday. The traditional fires are lit ahead of the main date in the parading calendar of Protestant loyal orders, the Twelfth of July. While most of the 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. A small number of bonfires were lit on Thursday night, including a controversial pyre in Moygashel, Co Tyrone, which had been widely criticised by political representatives and church leaders after it was topped with an effigy of migrants in a boat. In a statement released ahead of the fire being lit, the PSNI said they were investigating a hate incident in relation to the fire. The boat on top of the bonfire contained more than a dozen life-sized mannequins wearing life jackets. Below the boat were several placards, one saying 'Stop the boats' and another saying 'Veterans before refugees'. Sinn Fein MLA Colm Gildernew said the bonfire 'was clearly intended to dehumanise people who come to our island seeking a better life'. He added: 'The effigies and displays were abhorrent, driven by vile, far-right and racist attitudes. 'I welcome that police are treating this as a hate incident. It's vital those responsible are held accountable for their disgusting actions. 'Diversity, inclusion and equality must always triumph over xenophobia and hate.'
Reuters
6 days ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Effigies of refugees set alight on bonfire condemned in Northern Ireland
MOYGASHEL, Northern Ireland, July 10 (Reuters) - A model of refugees in a boat, placed on a bonfire in a pro-British town near Belfast, was set alight on Thursday night, weeks after migrants' homes were attacked nearby. The display prompted condemnations by politicians across Northern Ireland's political divides, and police said they were investigating it as a hate incident. Bonfires are lit across the British region in mainly Protestant "loyalist" neighbourhoods on the eve of the July 12 commemorations of William of Orange's victory over the Roman Catholic King James at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. Effigies of eight immigrants in life jackets were placed in a model boat alongside an Irish flag on top of the bonfire in the town of Moygashel, 65 km (40 miles) west of Belfast. Banners below the boat read "Stop the Boats" and "Veterans before Refugees." A large crowd gathered, many filming on their phones, as the more than 50-wooden-pallet-tall bonfire was set alight at nightfall on Thursday. A pipe band played music and fireworks were lit beforehand. A member of the regional assembly for Irish nationalists Sinn Féin, Colm Gildernew, called the display "deplorable" and a "clear incitement to hatred". Ulster Unionist Party leader Mike Nesbitt had joined Gildernew and others in calling for the effigies to be removed before the bonfire was lit and said he condemned them 'without reservation". 'This image is sickening, deplorable and entirely out of step with what is supposed to be a cultural celebration,' Nesbitt, who is the region's health minister, wrote on X. Bonfires and parades to mark July 12 have often prompted violence, even after a 1998 peace deal largely ended three decades of sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland. In June, masked rioters attacked police and set homes and cars on fire in Ballymena, 65 km northeast of Moygashel.
