Police Investigate Burning of Migrant-Boat Effigy in Northern Ireland as a Hate Crime
A boat containing life-size mannequins wearing life jackets was set on top of a tower of wooden pallets in Moygashel, County Tyrone, above banners reading 'stop the boats' and 'veterans before refugees.'
The bonfire was set alight in front of a large crowd on Thursday night as part of wider events marking the start of Twelfth of July, which commemorates the 1690 victory by a Protestant king, William III, over a Catholic king, James II.
For more than a century, members of the Protestant community have taken part in annual marches and parades around July 12. During the Troubles, the sectarian conflict between Catholic and Protestant communities, 'marching season' was a source of tension and, at times, violence. While the marches have become less fraught in recent years, the bonfires remain a source of concern to police, some of whom fear they can stoke lawlessness.
A statement from the Police Service of Northern Ireland said they had received several calls about the fire and the 'material that has been placed upon it,' which was being investigated as a 'hate incident.'
The force said that officers were working to 'help those who are or who feel vulnerable, to keep people safe,' but cautioned that they can 'only do so within the legislative framework that exists.'
Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Mother and children who died in shooting named as investigation goes on
A mother and her two children who were found dead have been named as a police investigation into their deaths continues. Vanessa Whyte, a veterinary surgeon originally from Co Clare; her son, James, and daughter, Sara, died following a shooting in Co Fermanagh. A fourth person, a man, remains in a serious condition in hospital after the incident in the Drummeer Road area of Maguiresbridge on Wednesday. All four people are members of the same household and all four suffered gunshot wounds, police said. A murder investigation has been launched and police are pursuing a triple murder and attempted suicide line of inquiry. St Patricks Lisbellaw Hurling Club said all three were 'active and beloved members of our club and will be desperately missed'. 'We are working with the GAA at county, provincial and national level, to implement the association's critical incident protocols,' they said. 'We will also work closely with all appropriate services to ensure that those who require support at this difficult time can access it.' The First Minister and deputy First Minister have expressed their shock and sadness following the killing of a mother and her two children in Fermanagh. — NI Executive (@niexecutive) July 23, 2025 First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, on Wednesday, expressed their shock at the tragedy. 'We are deeply saddened by the events which have unfolded in Maguiresbridge this morning', they said in a joint statement. 'Our thoughts are with the loved ones of the victims and their families, and the wider community. 'We want to pay tribute to and thank our emergency services who responded to the incident.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Woman and two children shot dead in horror attack
A woman and two children killed in a shooting in Northern Ireland are understood to be a mother, son and daughter, according to PA. The tragic incident took place on Wednesday morning (July 23) in Maguiresbridge, County Fermanagh, with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service confirming it received a 999 call at 8.21am. Police superintendent Robert McGowan confirmed that officers attended a house in the Drummeer Road area. READ MORE: The 10 best mobile games you can play for free - and number 1 will surprise you READ MORE: 5 retro RPGs you can play right now guaranteed to make you feel like a kid again - you won't have heard of one of them Speaking later on Wednesday, Mr McGowan said: 'Tragically, despite best medical efforts, two people were pronounced dead at the scene. Sadly, I can confirm that a third person has this afternoon passed away in hospital. 'The fourth person, who was taken to hospital, remains in a condition described as serious. 'All four had sustained gunshot wounds and I can confirm that all four individuals are from the same household.' Mr McGowan said the incident was ongoing when police arrived at the scene on Wednesday morning. 'It just happened prior to police attending, so, as you can appreciate, it's a very harrowing scene for all involved,' he told reporters. 'So, not only police officers, but colleagues in the ambulance service, and family members. Without going into detail, it's a very harrowing scene for anybody to attend.' He added: 'There is limited domestic history involving the people concerned and that is certainly one line of inquiry that the detectives will take forward.' He said the alarm was raised by a phone call made from the house where the incident was taking place. 'I am keen first and foremost to express my sympathy to the family members and loved ones who are today left in total shock and who will struggle to come to terms with their unimaginable loss,' he added. 'Detectives have now commenced a murder investigation and are working at pace to determine the circumstances. 'This is a quiet rural location and I'm aware that this tragic event will have sent shockwaves of sadness throughout the community.' Speaking at the scene, local MP Pat Cullen said she was 'shocked to the core' and 'heartbroken' at the incident. 'It's such a tragedy to hear that a mother and two wee children have lost their lives here today, and another person seriously injured,' the Fermanagh and South Tyrone representative told PA. 'It's just devastating news, devastating for the people of Maguiresbridge, a really close-knit community that I have got to know so well over the last year, just people that are the salt of the earth. 'I'm also thinking of all the wee school friends of those two wee children and what that must feel like for all of them and how the next few days and weeks will be for everyone, particularly just at the beginning of the school holidays.' She added: 'I think out of respect for the families alone it is so important that we give space now to the police to carry out their investigation. 'Speculation doesn't get us anywhere, it's time now to come together and wrap ourselves around this community and give them all the care and attention that they need and deserve.' Local MLA Deborah Erskine said there was 'a deep sense of shock and distress' in the 'close-knit, quiet, rural' community. 'I know having spoken to people within the community today, they are shocked, but the foremost thoughts are with the family,' she said at the scene. 'This family has had their lives completely and utterly turned upside down within a matter of hours today.' Health Minister Mike Nesbitt and Justice Minister Naomi Long also urged against online speculation and appealed for privacy for the families and friends of those who had died. In a joint statement, they said: 'We are horrified and heartbroken to learn of the tragedy that has occurred in Maguiresbridge today. 'We send our deepest sympathies to the families affected and to the wider community in County Fermanagh. 'The shock of this terrible event is being felt by many people and we would urge those in need of support to reach out. 'We wish to commend the work of first responders and the emergency services. Those who work in the front line are the best of us and we value their tremendous dedication and compassion at this most awful of times for families and the community. 'We would appeal for privacy for the families and friends of those who have died and would caution against speculation online as the PSNI continues its investigation.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
DUP says Sinn Féin's silence 'deafening' over bonfire
The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has accused Sinn Féin of a "deafening" silence over plans for a republican bonfire on private land in Londonderry, which has stalled work on a £11m development. Last week, a man needed hospital treatment after he fell from the bonfire which is under construction at Meenan Square in the Bogside. The site is managed by Apex Housing, which has had to delay work on a project because it cannot find a contractor willing to remove the bonfire materials. Assembly member Gary Middleton said there was a "void of political leadership from Sinn Féin in the Bogside" over the bonfire, which has sparked controversy in recent years. Sinn Féin has been asked for comment. Last year, police said they were treating the display of flags and banners - including union flags, a King Charles coronation flag and the flag of Israel - on the bonfire in the Bogside as a hate crime. In 2022, police investigated shots being fired near the site and in 2021 posters placed on the bonfire referenced former Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Chief Constable Simon Byrne and another the murder of Catholic police officer Ronan Kerr. "This bonfire has been a source of serious concern for some time, causing disruption, raising safety fears and delaying an £11 million publicly-funded redevelopment project," Middleton said. "That investment is being stalled because not a single contractor is willing to go near the site to remove materials, citing threats and safety risks. "It is time they [Sinn Féin] stepped up and made clear this situation is unacceptable." Injured man transferred to Belfast hospital Last Wednesday evening, a man was seriously hurt after falling from the bonfire. The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) confirmed that a man was taken to hospital. The injured man was treated for undisclosed injuries at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry, before being transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. Apex Housing has declined to comment but previously said it was continuing to re-secure boundary fencing and gates following repeated incidents of "forced entry" at the site. The £11m development will include social housing, community services, retail, commercial and office space. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said it was committed to working with partners, including local councils and community representatives, to address community safety issues linked to bonfires. Derry City and Strabane District Council said, while it does not authorise or regulate bonfires, it does engage with a wide range of partners to minimise the impact on communities. A spokesperson said it would continue to liaise with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) regarding the storage and disposal of tyres and other materials which may be placed on bonfires. Speaking generally on issues connected to bonfires on Tuesday, Justice Minister Naomi Long said safety should always be paramount. "I don't think that bonfires in the main have to be problematic," Long said. "I think if people are willing to make sure they are safe and respectful, and they are in proportion to where they are and that they are legal, then in many cases they will pass off without incident. "Where we have real trouble is where we either get violence connected to the bonfire or we get accidents where people fall from a great height. "If you were scaling a building, you would have health and safety in place, you would have to wear a harness, there would be scaffolding and yet you see young people climbing what are taller than some buildings," she added. Why is the bonfire being lit? Bonfires on 15 August are traditional in some nationalist parts of Northern Ireland to mark the Catholic Feast of the Assumption. Some bonfires are also lit in August to commemorate the introduction of internment without trial of republican suspects during the Troubles, which was introduced by the UK Government in 1971. More on this story Contractors 'unwilling' to remove bonfire material Safety concerns stop removal of bonfire material Solve the daily Crossword
