July 10, 2025: The Moygashel bonfire in Co Tyrone - with the Irish flag and migrant effigies on top - on fire.RollingNews.ie
The controversial Moygashel bonfire in Co Tyrone was set alight last night, Thursday, July 10, after Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed it was investigating it as a "hate incident."
The Moygashel bonfire sparked controversy this week when organizers topped the structure with effigies of migrants wearing lifejackets in a boat.
Signs reading "Stop the Boats," "Veterans before Refugees," and "Stop illegal immigration" were also on the pyre.
The bonfire - a part of the loyalist Eleventh Night traditions - was slammed by Northern Ireland's politicians, with some deeming it a "clear incitement to hatred," "a blatant act of racism and hatred," "sickening," and "deplorable."
On Thursday afternoon, the PSNI announced that it was investigating the Moygashel bonfire as a "hate incident."
"Police have received a number of reports regarding the bonfire in Moygashel and the material that has been placed upon it," the PSNI said on Thursday.
"Police are investigating this hate incident."
The PSNI statement added: "Police are here to help those who are or who feel vulnerable, to keep people safe. We do this by working with local communities, partners, elected representatives and other stakeholders to deliver local solutions to local problems, building confidence in policing and supporting a safe environment for people to live, work, visit and invest in Northern Ireland, but we can only do so within the legislative framework that exists."
Despite the criticism and investigation, the Moygashel bonfire was lit at about 10:30 pm on Thursday, with large crowds in attendance.
Footage and photos show that in addition to the effigies of migrants, an Irish tricolor flag was placed atop the structure before it was lit.
A loyalist bonfire controversially topped with an effigy of migrants in a boat has been lit.
The PSNI earlier said they were investigating a hate incident in reference to the pyre in Moygashel on the outskirts of Dungannon, Co Tyrone.
An Irish tricolour flag was also placed on… pic.twitter.com/B7Vw0EMKzh
— The Irish News (@irish_news) July 11, 2025
The Belfast Telegraph reported on Friday that it took the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) two hours to extinguish the fire.
Three appliances, two from Dungannon and one from Clogher, attended the scene along with one water tanker. The fire was extinguished at 12:33 am using one jet and four hose reels.
The bonfire here in Moygashel now well alight.
An effigy depicting a migrant crossing was torched first.
Police say they are treating it as a hate crime @BelTel pic.twitter.com/gPlKv3A4MS
— Kevin Scott (@Kscott_94) July 10, 2025
On Friday, Amnesty International’s Northern Ireland director Patrick Corrigan told the PA: “It is shameful that the authorities allowed this despicable display of hate to go ahead.
“What a shocking message to send to local migrant families.
“It is just weeks since migrant families were forced to flee for their lives when their homes were attacked and set on fire – a chilling pattern of escalating hostility.
“The authorities must treat this as a hate crime, conduct a full investigation and ensure those responsible are held to account.”
Corrigan added: “Racism, xenophobia, and hate have no place here – and that must be made unmistakably clear.”