Police in Northern Ireland arrested a 56-year-old man on July 9, 2026, on suspicion of displaying material intended to stir up hatred.
The arrest followed the placement of a replica mosque on top of a bonfire in Moygashel, County Tyrone.
The bonfire is scheduled to be lit on Friday night ahead of the traditional Twelfth of July celebrations.
The display has drawn widespread condemnation from politicians, religious leaders, and human rights groups.
Community and Political Reaction
Kashif Akram from the Belfast Islamic Centre said the replica mosque was deeply upsetting for Muslims across Northern Ireland.
He noted that the community was already anxious after recent racially motivated riots in Belfast.
“A mosque is a place of worship, peace and community and to use it in this way is experienced as an act of intimidation and disrespect towards an entire faith community,” Akram said.
He acknowledged the right to celebrate heritage but stressed that traditions should not target another community.
Patrick Corrigan from Amnesty International called the effigy a blatant attempt to stir up anti-Muslim hatred.
“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.
SDLP councillor Carl Whyte described the display as “absolutely disgusting” and “racist.”
Fellow SDLP councillor Karol McQuade called it “vile, dangerous and deeply irresponsible,” urging those responsible to remove it immediately.
Sinn Féin assembly member Colm Gildernew said the effigy was a clear hate crime.
“This is fuelled by hate and those that seek to bring division to our communities,” he said, calling for a police investigation.
The Democratic Unionist Party issued a statement saying such displays do not represent the core values of July traditions.
“The placing of flags, effigies or other items on bonfires is not part of that tradition and should not take place,” the party said.
Local Tensions Over Policing
The Moygashel Bonfire Association complained about heavy police presence in the area.
In a Facebook statement, the group said an unprecedented number of police vehicles had maintained non-stop patrols, disrupting the quiet residential community.
“Local youths report feeling deliberately targeted and criminalised by the constant surveillance, deepening resentment toward the authorities,” the association said.
They described the situation as a “powder-keg” and warned that the heavy-handed approach would not be forgotten.
The bonfire site has previously hosted controversial displays, including an effigy of refugees in a boat in 2025, a replica police car in 2024, and nationalist symbols in 2023.
The PSNI confirmed the arrested man remains in custody under suspicion of violating Article 9 of the Public Order Order 1987.
