Hate Crime Probe Launched After Migrant Effigy Torched on Northern Ireland Bonfire

 

Police in Northern Ireland have launched a hate crime investigation after a bonfire topped with a model of a migrant boat and a sign reading “stop the boats” was set ablaze during loyalist celebrations in County Tyrone. The effigy, which featured 12 dummies wearing life jackets, was erected in the village of Moygashel near Dungannon as part of the annual July 12 festivities, a date marking the Protestant victory at the Battle of the Boyne in 1689.

 

 

Despite widespread condemnation, the bonfire was ignited at 11pm on Thursday. Alongside the model dinghy, an Irish tricolour was hoisted and another sign that read “veterans before refugees” was placed next to an image of two guns. The display drew swift and widespread outrage from political leaders, church officials, and human rights advocates, all of whom described it as racist and dehumanising.

 

 

The Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed it had received multiple complaints. “Police are investigating this hate incident,” said a spokesperson. “Police are here to help those who are or who feel vulnerable, to keep people safe.” The statement added that officers aim to foster safe communities by working closely with local representatives and stakeholders, but stressed that action must remain within the legal framework.

 

The condemnation was swift. Sinn Féin assembly member for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, Colm Gildernew, called it a “vile and deplorable act” and said it was “clearly a hate crime.” John McDowell, the Church of Ireland’s Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, also criticised the display, calling it “racist, threatening and offensive,” and further described it as “inhuman and deeply sub-Christian.”

 

Social Democratic and Labour Party councillor Malachy Quinn expressed his outrage to the Irish News, saying: “I am absolutely disgusted to see yet another overtly racist and threatening display appear on the bonfire in Moygashel. Those responsible for this hateful display claim to be celebrating British culture. Let’s be clear: racism and intimidation are not culture. This isn’t pride – it’s poison. It is an affront to every decent person in our community.”

 

Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International’s director for Northern Ireland, added: “This is a vile, dehumanising act that fuels hatred and racism.”

Even within the unionist community, the bonfire display drew criticism. Northern Ireland’s largest unionist party, the DUP, said such provocations had no place in cultural celebrations. A party spokesman said, “We oppose placing effigies or other provocative symbols on bonfires. The July 11 bonfires are a historic and cultural tradition… These should be positive cultural celebrations and we support those within our community that wish to celebrate their culture by continuing with that tradition in a peaceful, positive and safe way.”

 

However, loyalist activist Jamie Bryson defended the display, citing a European Court of Human Rights ruling which he said deemed the burning of effigies to be “legitimate political expression.” He added, “Those who have spent recent months defending Kneecap and labelling their performances as artistic expression are the same people criticising this act of political protest,” referencing the pro-united Ireland rap group.

 

In a statement on social media, the Moygashel Bonfire Association rejected accusations of racism or hate, writing: “This year’s bonfire ‘topper’ should not be seen as racist, threatening or offensive... We believe this unfettered invasion is the biggest threat to the UK since Adolph Hitler.”

 

Elsewhere in Belfast, controversy flared around a separate bonfire containing asbestos and situated dangerously close to an electricity substation serving two hospitals. Despite safety concerns and a formal request from Belfast City Council, the PSNI declined to assist in dismantling the structure. In a statement issued Thursday, police said: “Following comprehensive engagement with all relevant stakeholders, an evidence-based assessment, and taking into consideration all of the risks associated with the removal, we have determined that police should not assist the proposed actions of Belfast City Council.”

 

This is not the first time Moygashel’s bonfire traditions have drawn criticism. Last year, a mock police car was incinerated, sparking particular concern in a region where law enforcement is frequently the target of violence.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Daily Telegraph  2025-07-12

 

 

 

The reaction against this invasion has been too little and too late.

There are going to be some sick minds chipping in on this topic.......already a laughing emoji

Was there not bonfires in the UK previously that had effigies of Thatcher and I think Johnson, and probably a few others ?

 

Wrong kind of hate crime.

2 hours ago, The Cyclist said:

Was there not bonfires in the UK previously that had effigies of Thatcher and I think Johnson, and probably a few others ?

 

Wrong kind of hate crime.

I think it all started with burning a Catholic, so no surprised who’s engaging in this latest display of hate.

 

 

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

I think it all started with burning a Catholic, so no surprised who’s engaging in this latest display of hate.

 

 

You say that like it was a bad thing.

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

I think it all started with burning a Catholic,

 

Could you elucidate on who you think that Catholic was ?
 

I think trying to apply what happened in the 1500's to 21 Century UK is also a form of mentalism

A  true reflection of  opinion on the curse of illegal immigration is the truth not a hate crime. 

Most people hate illegal immigration en mass by young Muslim males

6 hours ago, The Cyclist said:

Was there not bonfires in the UK previously

Every year for hundreds  for Guy Fawkes

 Hate Crime Probe Launched After Migrant Effigy Torched on Northern Ireland Bonfire.

 

This isn't a hate Crime it's a protest  to the Government against the Invasion of Illegal Migrants  .

Why you may ask. Because the Gutless Government isn't doing anything about this to stop the invasion and protect the country and send the Illegal ones back to where they came from .

The number of people unaccounted for in Britain is running into the millions. Things are going to get far worse than this event in County Tyrone unless the UK govt get a grip on immigration, both legal and illegal.

Remigration should have started yesterday.

Virtual signalling by so many politicians and leaders with their condemnation.  The burning of this fire was a very clear message from the 'common' people about their concerns of unchecked immigration and the discrimination by these politicians/leaders against the native population.

 

Those in power ignore this message at their peril....

Basically EU and UK need to implement a 'barred from applying for residence if they arrive illegally'...not perfect but solves a lot of this phenomena. Soon as they touch sand on a beach = disallowed from applying.

 

So

simple.

5 hours ago, digger70 said:

This isn't a hate Crime it's a protest  to the Government

 

Yea. But that's why "hate crimes" were invented. 

 

To silence dissent. To silence people you disagree with. To lock them up.

 

It's pure 1984. 

 

Punishing wrongspeak. Or in the case of the silent woman praying. Wrongthink.

 

Lefties love it. 

1 hour ago, simon43 said:

Virtual signalling by so many politicians and leaders with their condemnation.  The burning of this fire was a very clear message from the 'common' people about their concerns of unchecked immigration and the discrimination by these politicians/leaders against the native population.

 

Those in power ignore this message at their peril....

 

Do you really  believe that this was a legitimate concern expressed by "common people?

The people who participated are the same people who have been engaging in hateful violence for the past 75+ years: Ignorant layabouts who have been blaming anyone and everyone other than themselves for their current  position. They are generations of benefits collectors, who have spent their lives grifting, thieving, drinking, philandering and sucking the life out of society. These are the same people who would vandalize, loot and run amuck in the streets, all the while marrying within their close inbred community. Their mirror image are their fenian relations who live on the other side of their imagined border. Two groups of violent people who have  yet to progress from their primitive savagery. They don't care about migrants. it is just an excuse to be violent and run wild.

7 hours ago, johng said:

Every year for hundreds  for Guy Fawkes

I lit up my first Guy bonfire at 8 years of age .Believe they are mostly banned now ...maybe the firemen got fed up !

A hate crime would have been burning the boats with real immigrants. 

 

This was an exercise of free speech.

 

2 hours ago, impulse said:

A hate crime would have been burning the boats with real immigrants. 

 

This was an exercise of free speech.

 

It wouldn’t take too many iterations to determine if burning effigies of minority peoples is a hate crime.

 

Just repeat the exercise while changing the minority group until it becomes clear.

 

3 hours ago, impulse said:

A hate crime would have been burning the boats with real immigrants. 

 

This was an exercise of free speech.

 

No , that is defending your country , culture and safety.

On 7/12/2025 at 9:55 AM, MisterTee said:

The reaction against this invasion has been too little and too late.

Spot on.

The Irish have only themselves to blame for this disaster.

Ditto the USA; UK, and much of the EU.

Their befuddled people stood by while corrupt leaders allowed this influx of migrants without the slightest concern about what the unintended consequences might be.

The results - foreseeable from the get-go - are only just beginning.

5 hours ago, DaddyWarbucks said:

Spot on.

The Irish have only themselves to blame for this disaster.

Ditto the USA; UK, and much of the EU.

Their befuddled people stood by while corrupt leaders allowed this influx of migrants without the slightest concern about what the unintended consequences might be.

The results - foreseeable from the get-go - are only just beginning.

 

It's quite incredible, when you think about it.  People literally starting arriving in boats and entering the country illegally, then either disappearing or being put up in a hotel on the tax payer's dime.  But, just because they are non-White and claim to be poor, they're allowed to just get on with it.  People were even supporting them, encouraging them and pretending that they must be in danger, calling them refugees and saying that they are welcome.

19 hours ago, FlorC said:

Remigration should have started yesterday.

How? Where? What about the kids? Most have destroyed their passports. This is a very clever form of invasion. By 2060 there will be no indigenous British left.

On 7/12/2025 at 4:04 AM, Social Media said:

The Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed it had received multiple complaints. “Police are investigating this hate incident,

Obviously the government hates Irish veterans. 

12 hours ago, impulse said:

A hate crime would have been burning the boats with real immigrants. 

 

This was an exercise of free speech.

 

There is no "free speech" in Ireland or the UK as a whole.  

11 minutes ago, connda said:

There is no "free speech" in Ireland or the UK as a whole.  

How right you are!

This is Northern Ireland where they feed off hate; it used to be each other Catholics and Protestants but now they have joined together to hate someone new: the immigrants! They buried and hid their heavy weapons when the

"Peace Process" was agreed.

On 7/12/2025 at 4:44 PM, Thingamabob said:

The number of people unaccounted for in Britain is running into the millions. Things are going to get far worse than this event in County Tyrone unless the UK govt get a grip on immigration, both legal and illegal.

It's too late now. We've lost the nation 

45 minutes ago, Magictoad said:

By 2060 there will be no indigenous British left

Is there any such thing given the ebb and flow of all peoples over the centuries?

13 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

It wouldn’t take too many iterations to determine if burning effigies of minority peoples is a hate crime.

 

Just repeat the exercise while changing the minority group until it becomes clear.

 

 

When you say minorities you actually mean criminals. 

 

This was a symbolic protest. Bad taste? Sure... but I recall the left doing similar things with Tory politicians. But that was fine with you.