Man arrested after mosque replica put on Northern Ireland bonfire investigated as 'hate crime'

A replica mosque being put on top of a loyalist bonfire in Northern Ireland is being investigated by police as a potential hate crime.

A 56-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of the use or display of threatening, abusive, or insulting material and remains in custody, Police Service of Northern Ireland said.

The model, which also depicts a person inside holding a knife and a flag, was seen on top of the pyre in Moygashel, Co Tyrone, on Thursday, prompting widespread condemnation for inciting hatred.

Bonfires are traditionally lit in Northern Ireland during Twelfth celebrations, which commemorate the Battle of the Boyne in 1690 when Protestant King William III - or William of Orange - defeated Catholic King James II.

Historically, fires were lit in Northern Ireland to guide William's ships.

Large pyres made of wood pallets are traditionally set alight the night leading into 12 July in unionist areas.

Police have faced calls to take action against the bonfire display.

A Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) statement said: "The display on the Moygashel bonfire is being treated as a hate-motivated criminal offence and we continue to assess the situation.

"A 56-year-old man arrested earlier today remains in police custody."

Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn condemned the display as a "sickening and cowardly act of intimidation".

In a post on social media, Mr Benn said: "This is not about tradition, and in no way does it represent the vast majority of people in Northern Ireland.

"We must stand united and completely reject such hatred."

The DUP said effigies should not be placed on bonfires.

A party spokesperson said: "The 11th of July bonfires are a historic and cultural tradition stretching back to the fires lit to welcome the arrival of King William III.

"These should be positive cultural celebrations. We support those within our community that wish to celebrate their culture by continuing with that tradition in a peaceful way.

"The placing of flags, effigies or other items on bonfires is not part of that tradition and should not take place."

Signs that said, "Secure our borders" and "End the threat of radical Islam" have also been placed on the pyre, which is made up of pallets and is due to be set alight on Friday night.

The Moygashel Bonfire Association said the bonfire was an act of "political protest" against "uncontrolled illegal mass immigration".

It 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, and we note with some irony that it is the ECHR which has so often paved the way for mass illegal immigration and a failure to deport foreign criminals who have come here unlawfully, that also now protects our right to protest in robust terms against that."

It added: "Our opposition is not to people, but rather to ideology and government policy."

The Moygashel bonfires also attracted condemnation last year, when effigies of migrants in boats were burned.

Amnesty International's Northern Ireland director Patrick Corrigan condemned the display as "vile" and a "blatant attempt to stir up anti-Muslim hatred and intimidate local families".

"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," he said.

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Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows has called for the "immediate removal of the offensive display".

He said: "There can be no place for placing any place of worship on a bonfire and setting it alight. It is simply wrong."

Fermanagh and South Tyrone Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew said the display was "deplorable".

"The signage and effigy on the Moygashel bonfire is a clear hate crime," he said.

Belfast and other towns in Northern Ireland were rocked by race riots last month, following a knife attack for which a Sudanese man has been charged.

In June last year, rioters clashed with police in Ballymena following the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl by two Romanian 14-year-old boys. The charges were later withdrawn against them.

(c) Sky News 2026: Man arrested after mosque replica put on Northern Ireland bonfire investigated as 'hate crime'