Moygashel bonfire lit as police operation to remove mosque ‘effigy’ reached advanced stage

A major police operation to remove a replica mosque and anti-Islam banners from the Moygashel bonfire was at an advanced stage when the structure was set alight.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland said officers had begun a “significant and complex” operation on Thursday night to secure the site, remove the display and seize the material as evidence.

However, the bonfire was lit before police could complete the operation.

Police moved to secure site and remove display

The item placed at the top of the bonfire was a replica mosque.

Banners attached to the structure read “Secure our borders” and “End the threat of radical Islam”.

Police had confirmed earlier on Thursday that they were aware of the display and were treating it as a hate-motivated criminal offence.

In a statement issued during the early hours of Friday morning, the PSNI said its operation to remove the material was underway when the bonfire was ignited.

Police said that, had the structure not been lit, officers would have secured the site, removed the display and seized it as evidence.

Chief Superintendent Norman Haslett said:

“Hate crime has no place in our society and will not be tolerated.

“That is why tonight we commenced a proactive policing operation to take action and remove the hate display from Moygashel Bonfire.

“Before police arrival the bonfire was set alight a day in advance to prevent removal of the criminal material.”

Man charged with incitement to hatred

Police had earlier arrested a 56-year-old man on suspicion of contravening Article 9 of the Public Order (Northern Ireland) Order 1987.

Applicable later confirmed that the man had been charged with incitement to hatred and is due to appear before Dungannon Magistrates’ Court today, Friday, July 10.

Chief Superintendent Haslett added:

“Where there is evidence that offences have been committed, we will take robust action.

“As part of our ongoing investigation, a 56-year-old man has been charged with incitement to hatred. He is due to appear before Dungannon Magistrates’ Court on Friday 10 July.

“As is normal procedure, all charges are reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.”

Investigation remains ongoing

The PSNI said its investigation into the hate-motivated crime is continuing.

Attention will now turn to the ongoing police investigation into the display, the circumstances surrounding the early lighting of the bonfire and any further offences that may have been committed.