A replica of a mosque was placed on top of a bonfire in Moygashel, County Tyrone, on Thursday evening, alongside signs reading ‘Secure our borders’ and ‘End the threat of radical Islam’. The model, fitted with green lighting, bore Arabic script translating to ‘Islamic Fascism’. The bonfire, built from pallets, is due to be lit on Friday night as part of Eleventh Night celebrations.

Police said a 56-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of breaching Article 9 of the Public Order (Northern Ireland) Order 1987, which covers threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour intended to stir up hatred or arouse fear. He remained in custody. Officers confirmed they were aware of the item on top of the pyre.

Amnesty International’s Northern Ireland director, Patrick Corrigan, said the display was a blatant attempt to stir up anti-Muslim hatred and intimidate local families, and that it amounted to incitement to hatred under the law. He called for the material to be removed.

Political representatives also denounced the bonfire. SDLP councillor Karol McQuade described it as vile, dangerous and deeply irresponsible, adding there was no place for anti-Muslim hate. Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew called it a deplorable hate crime and urged the PSNI to investigate urgently. Alliance councillor Eddie Roofe said it was hateful and deeply offensive and must be taken down immediately. SDLP councillor Carl Whyte said singling out an entire faith was shameful.

The Moygashel bonfire has been the source of controversy in previous years. Last year, an effigy of a boat carrying refugees was burned, drawing condemnation. In 2024, a replica police car was placed on the structure, and in 2023, an image of then-Taoiseach Leo Varadkar alongside an Irish flag was attached.

Earlier this year, police removed a banner from a children’s playpark in the village that was deemed a hate crime.