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5h ago

Man Arrested After Replica Mosque Placed on Loyalist Bonfire

The PSNI has launched a criminal investigation under Article 9 of the Public Order (NI) Order 1987.

An effigy of a person holding a knife in a mosque stands atop the Moygashel bonfire ahead of its lighting as part of the annual bonfire events marking the 1690 Battle of the Boyne, in Moygashel, Northern Ireland, July 9, 2026. REUTERS/Cathal McNaughton
An effigy of a person holding a knife in a mosque stands atop the Moygashel bonfire ahead of its lighting as part of the annual bonfire events marking the 1690 Battle of the Boyne, in Moygashel, Northern Ireland, July 9, 2026. REUTERS/Cathal McNaughton
A man walks past, as an effigy of a person holding a knife in a mosque stands atop the Moygashel bonfire ahead of its lighting as part of the annual bonfire events marking the 1690 Battle of the Boyne, in Moygashel, Northern Ireland, July 9, 2026. REUTERS/Cathal McNaughton
People observe as an effigy of a person holding a knife in a mosque stands atop the Moygashel bonfire ahead of its lighting as part of the annual bonfire events marking the 1690 Battle of the Boyne, in Moygashel, Northern Ireland, July 9, 2026. REUTERS/Cathal McNaughton

Overview

  • Police arrested a 56-year-old man on suspicion of contravening Article 9 after a model mosque and anti-Islam signs were placed on a Moygashel bonfire on Thursday.
  • Amnesty International called the display a “vile” attempt to stir up anti-Muslim hatred and urged officers to treat it as a potential crime and remove the material.
  • The Moygashel Bonfire Association defended the placement as political protest and cited Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights to justify the display.
  • Article 9 of the Public Order (NI) Order 1987 can criminalise material intended or likely to stir up religious or racial hatred, and the suspect remains in custody while inquiries continue.
  • The site has a pattern of contentious displays, including last year’s migrant effigy burning, and campaigners warn the incident could intimidate Muslim families and escalate tensions as Eleventh Night bonfires approach.