Co Tyrone bonfire lit as PSNI investigate 'hate incident'

A loyalist bonfire in Co Tyrone controversially topped with an effigy of migrants in a boat was lit last night.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland had earlier said they were investigating a hate incident in reference to the pyre in Moygashel on the outskirts of Dungannon, Co Tyrone.

An Irish tricolour flag was also placed on the bonfire, which is among about 300 which will be burned ahead of the Orange Order's annual 12 July parades.

The display on top of the bonfire in Moygashel was criticised by political representatives across the spectrum in Northern Ireland.

Effigies of migrants in a boat sit atop a bonfire at Moygashel, Co Tyrone

Below the boat are several placards, one saying 'stop the boats' and another 'veterans before refugees'

Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland John McDowell described it as "racist, threatening and offensive".

Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International's Northern Ireland director, described the bonfire as a "vile, dehumanising act that fuels hatred and racism".

The boat containing more than a dozen life-sized mannequins wearing life jackets was unveiled on top of the bonfire.

Below the boat are several placards, one saying "stop the boats" and another "veterans before refugees".

SDLP leader Claire Hanna described the effigy as "disgusting".

"It would be ludicrous to call it art in any sense," she said.

A tricolor flag and a migrant boat effigy can be seen on top of a bonfire in Co Tyrone

The Moygashel bonfire has become well known in recent years for contentious displays

"In terms of life imitating art, not three weeks ago, we had actual human beings being burned out by probably some of the same elements involved in this bonfire in Ballymena, it's a deeply dehumanising provocation."

She said that some of the "extremists" involved are "unionism's worst enemy".

"There are ordinary people who traditionally attend those bonfires, but there are a handful of people for whom confrontation and hate is the entire purpose, who seem to thrive on media controversy and upsetting other people," Ms Hanna added.

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, the PSNI said they had received a number of reports regarding the bonfire in Moygashel and the material on it.

"Police are investigating this hate incident. Police are here to help those who are or who feel vulnerable, to keep people safe," they said.

"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."

PSNI did not assist removal of contentious Belfast bonfire

Separately, the PSNI decided not to assist Belfast city council in helping contractors remove a bonfire built close to the electricity supply to two major hospitals.

The PSNI had declared a "major incident" and held meetings with local community groups, politicians and a range of multi-agency partners before making a final decision.

In a statement, the PSNI said that following engagement with all relevant stakeholders, "an evidence based assessment, and taking into consideration all of the risks associated with the removal" it had decided not to assist the proposed actions of Belfast City Council.

A controversial bonfire in Belfast is seen in the background, with yellow tape reading 'warning, asbestos' in front of it

A bonfire in Belfast is close to an electricity substation and is on a site that contains asbestos

The statement added that the decision from the PSNI "involved carefully balancing potentially competing statutory and human rights obligations."

The statement continued: "The risk of the bonfire proceeding as planned was lower and more manageable than the intervention of contractors and the proposed methodology of dismantling the bonfire."

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'Stop playing politics' - Little-Pengelly

Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister said people "playing politics" over the loyalist bonfire at Monarch Street in south Belfast should step back and allow safety work on the site to continue.

The DUP's Emma Little-Pengelly said a "huge amount of hard work" had gone into ensuring the Belfast fire could happen safely.

In a social media post, she said: "I pay tribute to all those working hard on the ground to resolve any remaining issues, including the local bonfire builders.

"I have been engaging with our local DUP reps and other agencies throughout.

"This work will continue over the next hours and days.

"Those playing politics with the issue should step back and allow the work to continue on the ground."

She added: "As always, threat or violence is never acceptable."

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said violence was 'never acceptable'

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan has said it is "unthinkable" that the bonfire, which is on a site which contains asbestos and is close to an electricity substation which powers two hospitals, should be allowed to go ahead today.

Mr Sheehan said: "The PSNI must act now to prevent this from escalating.

"Waiting until it's too late is not an option. We need firm, immediate action.

The DUP leader on Belfast City Council, Sarah Bunting, said the council decision was "foolhardy" and risked increasing tensions with the local community.

In a social media post, she said: "The decision to remove the bonfire was made without adequate consultation or consideration of community impact, and we believe it requires further scrutiny.

"This decision is political not a health and safety one.

"It is foolhardy and has ramped tensions up in an area which has suffered considerably from interface problems."

A sign reads 'danger, hazardous waste', with a view of a controversial Belfast bonfire in the background

The bonfire site contains asbestos and is close to an electricity substation

Senior police sources have rejected reports that loyalist paramilitary groups in the area have issued a joint statement warning of widespread violence in loyalist areas across Northern Ireland if the bonfire is removed.

However, there is a strong likelihood that the UDA and UVF in the so-called loyalist village area where the bonfire is located would strongly resist any attempt to forcibly remove it, and that could it trigger disorder in other loyalist areas.

Last night, just hours after the Belfast city council decision, entrance roads to the site were blocked, a small crowd gathered close to the site and several young men could be seen on top of the bonfire.

The geography of the area, bordered by the Westlink motorway on one side and residential and commercial premises on two other sides, means police would have limited options to access site, reducing tactical options.

The fact that the site is adjacent to the Westlink, the city's busiest road, is another factor, as any rioting would result in its closure.

Crowds gather to protect the bonfire in south Belfast

Crowds gathered last night to defend the bonfire in south Belfast

There is also a risk that the bonfire builders could quickly set it on fire if police were seen moving into the area.

Four years ago, the PSNI refused to facilitate a decision to have contractors remove a contentious bonfire in north Belfast.

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