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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.
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The PSNI confirmed the arrested man remains in custody under suspicion of violating Article 9 of the Public Order Order 1987.
