Loyalists torch 'sickening and cowardly' Northern Ireland bonfire with replica mosque on top before police can move it to take it down

Published: 09:38, 10 July 2026 | Updated: 09:42, 10 July 2026 Loyalists in Northern Ireland have been condemned for the 'sickening and cowardly' burning of a replica mosque on top of a bonfire. Police were unable to remove the cardboard model of a place of worship before it was set alight yesterday in the village of Moygashel in Co Tyrone. The smouldering remains of the bonfire were continuing to burn this morning. As well as the mosque, signs were displayed which read 'Secure our borders' and: 'End the threat of radical Islam'.  A man in his 50s is due to appear in court today charged with incitement to hatred.  Political and religious leaders had criticised the placing of the mosque on top of the fire, which had been scheduled to be lit on Friday night.  Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn described the bonfire display as a 'sickening and cowardly act of intimidation', carried out by the same group which received backlash last year after they burnt an effigy of a migrant boat.  The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) had faced calls to remove the bonfire before it was lit. Police officers in Moygashel with the lit bonfire behind them. Loyalists in Northern Ireland have been condemned for the 'sickening and cowardly' burning of a replica mosque The effigy was lit a night earlier than expected after Police faced calls to remove the replica mosque from the bonfire  As well as the mosque, signs were displayed which read 'Secure our borders' and: 'End the threat of radical Islam' But shortly before midnight the group behind the offensive effigy, Moygashel Bonfire Association, confirmed the bonfire had been lit early. They said: 'Due to confirmation of contractors moving in and removing the bonfire, the decision has been made to light it asap.' The PSNI said it had 'commenced a significant and complex policing operation to remove a hate display from the Moygashel bonfire'. It said the operation was at an 'advanced stage when the bonfire was lit'. A spokesperson said: 'Had the bonfire not been lit police would have secured the site and removed the offending material and seized it as evidence. 'The Police Service of Northern Ireland's investigation into this hate-motivated crime is ongoing. Chief Superintendent Norman Haslett said: 'Hate crime has no place in our society and will not be tolerated. 'That is why we commenced a proactive policing operation to take action and remove the hate display from Moygashel Bonfire. Last year, the same group received backlash after they burnt an effigy of a migrant boat Political and religious leaders had criticised the placing of the mosque on top of the fire, which had been scheduled to be lit on Friday night 'Before police arrival, the bonfire was set alight a day in advance to prevent removal of the criminal material. 'Where there is evidence that offences have been committed, we will take robust action.' He added that as part of an ongoing investigation a 56-year-old has been charged with incitement to hate and will appear at Dungannon Magistrates' Court on Friday July 10. Police were maintaining a low-key presence in the village on Friday morning. The bonfire site in Moygashel has attracted controversy in previous years. Last year, there was condemnation after effigies of migrants in a boat were burned on the Moygashel fire. Eleventh night bonfires will be lit across Northern Ireland on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings ahead of the Orange Order's July 12 parades on Monday. 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. Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn (pictured) described the bonfire display as a 'sickening and cowardly act of intimidation' This year's effigy received widespread condemnation from politicians and other organisations.  In a social media post, Mr Benn said: 'The placement of a replica mosque on the Moygashel bonfire is a sickening and cowardly act of intimidation. '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.' Amnesty International described it 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, said: 'This vile display is a blatant attempt to stir up anti-Muslim hatred and intimidate local families. 'It must be met with a decisive response by the police. '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.' Fermanagh and South Tyrone Sinn Fein Northern Ireland Assembly Member Colm Gildernew described the display on the bonfire as 'deplorable'. He said: 'The signage and effigy on the Moygashel bonfire is a clear hate crime. 'This is fuelled by hate and those that seek to bring division to our communities. 'There is no place in our society for racism, and it is the responsibility of all political representatives and community leaders to stand against it. 'The PSNI must investigate this as a matter of urgency to remove this disgraceful display.' Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.