A 56-year-old man has been charged with incitement to hatred after a replica of a mosque was placed on top of a loyalist bonfire pyre in Moygashel, Co Tyrone
A man faces charges following the placement of a replica mosque atop a loyalist bonfire in Co Tyrone.
The model structure was spotted on the pyre in Moygashel on Thursday. Placards reading “Secure our borders” and “End the threat of radical Islam” were also affixed to the bonfire, which had been scheduled for ignition on Friday night.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland reported that the bonfire was actually set ablaze on Thursday night, complicating efforts to dismantle the hate-related display.
A force spokesperson explained: “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.”
A 56-year-old man has been charged with incitement to hatred and will appear at court on Friday, 10 July.
Chief Superintendent Norman Haslett stated: “Hate crime has no place in our society and will not be tolerated.
“That is why tonight we commenced a proactive policing operation to take action and remove the hate display from Moygashel Bonfire. In advance of 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.
“As part of our ongoing investigation, a 56-year-old man has been charged with incitement to hatred. He is due to appear before Dungannon Magistrates’ Court on Friday 10 July. As is normal procedure, all charges are reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.”
This particular bonfire has sparked outrage in past years. Last year saw widespread condemnation after effigies depicting migrants in a boat were set ablaze at the Moygashel fire.
Eleventh night bonfires are scheduled to be lit throughout Northern Ireland on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights in advance of the Orange Order’s 12 July parades on Monday. While the majority of these bonfires proceed without incident, a number have become the centre of controversy with flags, effigies and election posters positioned on the pyres before they are set alight.
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