Four men charged over Moygashel bonfire “hate display” amid wider policing debate

The Moygashel bonfire

Four men have been charged with offences arising from a “hate display” – a mock-up constructed mosques and anti-Islam posters — placed on a bonfire in Moygashel in July, in the latest development in a controversy which has since become part of a wider debate over the policing of sectarian bonfires in Northern Ireland.

The men were among five people arrested in the Moygashel area on Tuesday, 25 August, as part of the continuing police investigation.

Three men, aged 28, 38 and 58, have been charged with displaying written material to stir up hatred or arouse fear, while a 74-year-old man has been charged with intimidation.

All four are due to appear before Dungannon Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 16 September.

Fifth man released

A 51-year-old man, who was also arrested on Tuesday as part of the investigation, has been released.

Police said a report will be submitted to the Public Prosecution Service in due course.

The charges against the other four men will also be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service, in line with normal procedure.

The four men have not been convicted of the offences and the allegations will now be dealt with through the courts.

Moygashel became focus of wider bonfire controversy

The police action in Moygashel has subsequently featured prominently in political debate over how authorities respond to sectarian and offensive material displayed on bonfires.

Earlier this month, TUV party chairman Councillor Allister Kyle contrasted the police response at Moygashel with events at republican bonfires in Londonderry, where poppy wreaths, Loyal Order regalia, flags, banners, football-related material and political material were among items placed on fires.

Following those incidents, Cllr Kyle said:

“In the aftermath of the Moygashel bonfire we not only had an arrest but someone denied bail after the police opposed it.

“Given what was burned in Republican areas of Londonderry last night I have a simple question — will the PSNI be taking a similar approach?”

He added:

“Loyal Order collarettes, stolen flags, a Coleraine football club banner and even poppy wreaths all went up in smoke last night.”

Londonderry bonfires investigated as hate crimes

Police subsequently confirmed that material had been placed on bonfires at Bligh’s Lane in Creggan, Lecky Road in the Bogside and Corrody Road in the Top of the Hill area of the Waterside.

Area Commander for Derry City and Strabane, Chief Superintendent Gillian Kearney, said the material included “flags, poppy wreaths, banner/s, political material, sashes, football shirts and other items”.

“These are being treated as sectarian-motivated hate crimes,” she said.

Police also revealed that six poppy wreaths and a First World War commemoration banner had been discovered on 13 August during a Department for Infrastructure-led operation to remove pallets from underneath the Lecky flyover in the Bogside.

Enquiries remain under way into how those items came to be there.

Chief Superintendent Kearney condemned the material placed on the city’s bonfires as “disgraceful”, adding: “It will have no impact on the work we do every single day to make a difference and help the communities we serve.”

First Minister condemned Derry bonfires

A poster depicting Sinn Féin First Minister Michelle O’Neill was also placed on one of the Londonderry bonfires alongside other emblems.

Responding afterwards, Mrs O’Neill said:

“The burning of images and references to me in Derry last night are the very opposite of republicanism.

“Let me be very clear, I will not be deterred, distracted or intimidated.

“I will continue to call out sectarianism, anti-community activity and destruction wherever it comes from.

“These bonfires are a blight on our community.”

Cllr Kyle had called for those responsible for the Londonderry incidents to be brought before the courts, arguing that the response should be consistent with that taken following the Moygashel bonfire.

“But the time for statements of condemnation is past,” he said. “It’s time to bring those responsible before the courts and get them off the streets.”

The charging of four men now represents a significant further step in the Moygashel investigation. Their cases will proceed through the courts, while separate police investigations into the sectarian-motivated hate crimes associated with the Londonderry bonfires remain ongoing.