‘Kill your local Kneecap' – Poster of Irish rap trio attached to loyalist bonfire
It features the heading 'Kill your local Kneecap', with a further line stating 'The only good one is a dead one'. In the centre of the poster is the acronym 'KAT', with 'Death to Hamas' and 'Destroy all Irish Republicans' also on the banner.
KAT is commonly understood to stand for 'Kill all Taigs', while 'the only good one is a dead one' possibly refers to the slogans uttered by a Kneecap member at a gig in London which was investigated by police – 'kill your local MP' and 'the only good Tory is a dead one'. The group later apologised to the families of two British MPs who had been murdered in recent years.
'Death to Hamas' possibly refers to the 'Death to the IDF [Israeli Defence Forces]' chant led by British punk rockers Bob Vylan at Glastonbury when their set was shown live by the BBC instead of Kneecap's.
Both groups have said gig cancellations and investigations of their on-stage declarations are a distraction from the genocide taking place in Gaza.
It comes after MP Paul Maskey described similar sectarian displays on a bonfire in west Belfast as 'sickening'.
The banners have appeared on a pyre alongside Irish tricolours in the Highfield area of the city, with police confirming the banners are being treated as 'motivated by hate'.
The 'KAT' slur has this time been painted onto one of the flags in block capital letters and hung above a sign that reads 'stop the boats'.
Another sign with 'ATAT' and 'HYL' painted on it alongside a crosshair target has also been spotted at the site in addition to a sign that warns 'PSNI not welcome in loyalist Highfield'.
'Such open and sickening displays of sectarian and racist hatred have absolutely no place in our society,' said Mr Maskey.
"Political unionism must speak out and demand the removal of these offensive materials.
'Real leadership is needed, although it has been sorely lacking in these communities for some time.
'This is clearly a hate crime, and I have reported it to the PSNI.'
A PSNI spokesperson said: 'Police have received a report regarding offensive signage placed on a bonfire in the Highfield area.
'Enquiries into this matter, which is being treated as being motivated by hate, are ongoing.'
The placing of Ireland flags and other effigies on bonfires has become a fixture of loyalist bonfire season in the North. Earlier this week an effigy of a migrant boat with the slogan 'Stop the boats' was placed on top of a bonfire in the Moygashel area of Co Tyrone, which was later set alight.
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