By Connla Young, Crime and Security Correspondent
July 09, 2025 at 9:43am BST
The PSNI is facing calls to remove a “racist” display placed on a loyalist bonfire that mocks the plight of refugees and migrants.
The hate-filled display has appeared on a controversial bonfire in the village of Moygashel, near Dungannon, Co Tyrone.
It includes a small boat with a number of dark skinned mannequins dressed in lifejackets and high viz vests.
This is believed to be a reference to refugees and migrants who regularly use rubber dinghies, to make the dangerous English Channel crossing between France and Britain.
Dozens of people have died trying to make it across the treacherous waterway.
A sign strapped to the side of the bonfire reads ‘stop the boats’.
Another message states “veterans before refugees” and carries an images of two guns.
Moygashel has a history of race-hate and sectarian intolerance.
Last year police removed an anti-migrant roadside sign in the village but ignored sectarian banners glorifying the UVF nearby.
SDLP councillor Malachy Quinn condemned the latest display.
“I am absolutely disgusted to see yet another overtly racist and threatening display appear on the bonfire in Moygashel,” he said.
“Dungannon is a proud, multicultural town.
“People from all over the world have come here to live, work, raise their families, and build a better life.
“They deserve respect, safety, and a sense of belonging—just like everyone else.”
Mr Quinn said the display was “an affront”.
“Those responsible for this hateful display claim to be celebrating British culture.
“Let’s be clear: racism and intimidation are not culture.
“It’s long past time we challenged these toxic displays and the silence that too often surrounds them.”
The politicians said police should intervene.
“It should be taken down,” he said
“There’s no place in society for anything like that.”
The PSNI was contacted.
In the wake of last month’s racist rioting, loyalists in Moygashel said the PSNI is no longer welcome in the area amid claims of “two-tier” policing.
On Tuesday the daughter of a loyalist murder victim has urged PSNI chief constable Jon Boutcher to order the removal of UVF flags from the notorious loyalist bonfire.
Denise Mullen’s father Denis Mullen, a member of the SDLP, was shot dead by the Glenanne Gang near Moy, Co Tyrone, in September 1975.
The group, which included members of the RUC, UDR and UVF, is believed to have been responsible for around 125 murders, the majority of which were innocent Catholics.
A tribute to loyalist killer Wesley Somerville, a member of the Glenanne Gang, has also been hung from a lamppost in the village.
Somerville died along with fellow loyalist Harris Boyle, both members of the UDR, as they placed a bomb on a minibus carrying the Miami Showband near Banbridge in Co Down on July 31 1975.
Three members of the band also died in the deadly attack.
Another banner put up in the village pays homage to the UDR.
Several flags glorifying the UVF have been put up around the village ahead of this week’s bonfire event.
Two UVF-themed flags and one supporting the paramilitary group’s youth wing, the Young Citizen Volunteers, were hoisted from the bonfire earlier this week.
by Browns_right_foot
5 comments
Don’t know why they’re worried. Even locals dont want to step foot in Moygashel.
Why are the bonfires even allowed in the first place?
What’s racist about it?
It’s a very mainstream view
School before bonfire
another shining example of loyalist “culture”
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