Tyrone bonfire with 'hateful' migrant boat effigy on top set alight
The pyre, which was built in the Moygashel area on the outskirts of Dungannon in Tyrone, saw an effigy of a boat of migrants with a sign that said 'stop the boats' on it, with the PSNI claiming that they were investigating the bonfire as a 'hate incident.'
The bonfire was also topped off with an Irish tricolour flag, and burned down ahead of the annual 12th of July parades by the Orange Order. A controversial bonfire in Co Tyrone that was topped with an effigy of a migrant boat has been set alight ahead of the 12th of July celebrations. Pic: Jonathan McCambridge/PA Wire/PA Image
The display has been condemned by political representatives across the Northern Irish spectrum, with Archbishop and Primate of All Ireland John McDowell of the Church of Ireland calling the bonfire 'racist, threatening and offensive.'
Amnesty International's Northern Ireland Director Patrick Corrigan also condemned the bonfire, calling it a 'vile, dehumanising act that fuels hatred and racism.'
Loyalist spokesperson Jamie Bryson defended it, however, saying that the bonfires are a combination of 'artistic protest with their cultural celebration.' The bonfire was then topped with an Irish tricolour, and burned down on Thursday night. Pic: Niall Carson/PA Wire/PA Images
'Their yearly art has itself become a tradition,' he wrote on Twitter (X). 'This year the focus is on the scandal of mass illegal immigration.'
Previous iterations of the Moygashel bonfires include having police cars on top of the pyres, as well as a boat that depicted the post-Brexit Irish Sea border.
The PSNI have said that they were investigating the bonfire as a hate crime, saying in a since deleted statement 'Police are investigating this hate incident. Police are here to help those who are or who feel vulnerable, to keep people safe.' The bonfire was reported to the PSNI as a hate crime. Pic: Jonathan McCambridge/PA Wire
'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.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
an hour ago
- Irish Independent
Kneecap rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh arrives in court for alleged support of terrorist group
Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, is yet to enter a plea to the chargeFollow our live blog of today's proceedings below Kneecap's Liam Og O Hannaidh is due to appear in court on Wednesday (PA) A member of rap group Kneecap is due to appear in court for allegedly supporting a proscribed terror organisation. Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, is accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah at a gig in November last year. Demonstrations in support of the rapper have been organised outside Westminster Magistrates' Court in London where he is due to appear on Wednesday, as well as in Dublin. The Metropolitan Police has imposed conditions limiting where the demonstration outside the court can take place on Wednesday, saying they were needed to 'prevent serious disruption'. In response the rap group described this move as a 'calculated political decision' that was 'designed to try and portray support for Kneecap as somehow troublesome' and 'asked supporters to go out of your way to be compliant with all instructions issued, irrespective of how pitiful'. Ó hAnnaidh received a rockstar welcome when he appeared at the same court in June, supported by fellow bandmates Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh. He was greeted by a festival-like atmosphere for his first court appearance, with dozens of fans waving flags, playing drums and one supporter setting off a smoke canister. The court previously heard the 27-year-old defendant is 'well within his rights' to voice his opinions on the Israel-Palestine conflict, but the alleged incident at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London, was a 'wholly different thing'. Ó hAnnaidh is yet to enter a plea to the charge. See our live blog, courtesy of our sister publication the Belfast Telegraph, below:
Irish Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Mo Chara supported by fans as he returns to court over alleged terror offence
Kneecap's Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, known as Mo Chara, is today appearing in court after allegedly supporting a proscribed terror organisation. In November last year, at a gig in London, he was accused of displaying a flag in support of the terror group Hezbollah. The group have continuously denied the allegations that Óg Ó hAnnaidh is facing. Demonstrations to support the musician have been arranged outside of Westminster Magistrates, as well as in Dublin, Ireland. London's Metropolitan Police have since imposed conditions, limiting where demonstrations can take place outside of the court, stating that they need to "prevent serious disruption." The rap trio have branded the move "a calculated political decision designed to try and portray support for Kneecap as somehow troublesome." They added: "There is no basis for this, our last hearing was entirely peaceful and a loving show of solidarity with the most disruptive attendees the right wing media." They said in a statement: "We know all of our supporters will be, but please go out of your way to be compliant with all instructions issued, irrespective of how pitiful." In court last month, prosecutor Michael Bisgrove said that Óg Ó hAnnaidh was "well within his rights to voice his opinions and his solidarity, as is anybody else." He added: "The allegation in this case is a wholly different thing and deals with the video recording showing that, in November of last year, Mr O'Hanna wore and displayed the flag of Hezbollah … while saying 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah." Responding, Brenda Campbell, Óg Ó hAnnaidh said that the charge was too late as it came more than six months after the alleged crime took place. Campbell added: "If we are right in relation to that, then this court has no jurisdiction and there ends the case." Óg Ó hAnnaidh is yet to enter a plea to the charge. We will be bringing you live updates throughout the case. Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads . 09:27 Daniel Bird With less than an hour to go until Óg Ó hAnnaidh is due to appear, supporters outside of Westminster Magistrates Court have started chanting. "Free Mo Chara," could be heard, while people were waving Irish flags. Fans of Kneecap have started chanting outside the court (Image: PA) 09:18 Daniel Bird Chris Hazzard, the MP for South Down in Northern Ireland, has taken to social media to share his support for Óg Ó hAnnaidh. In a statement, he said: "This morning Kneecap's Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh is back in Westminster Magistrates' Court. As the rogue Israeli regime continues their genocide in Palestine, supported by complicit western governments, it is a rapper from West Belfast — not the war criminals — who are being dragged before the courts. "This is the same British justice system that stays silent on the British government's complicity in Israel's brutal and relentless assault on the defenceless people of Gaza. Kneecap are on the right side of history. Their courage in calling out Israel's genocide in Palestine, despite the full weight of the western establishment against them, deserves recognition and support. "Free Mo Chara – Free Palestine." South Down MP Chris Hazzard has voiced his thoughts (Image: PA) 08:51 KEY EVENT The Met has confirmed that a Public Order Act is in place today. In a statement shared on X, formerly Twitter, the force said: "We've imposed Public Order Act conditions to prevent serious disruption being caused by a protest outside Westminster Magistrates' Court tomorrow. "Protest in support of Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh and aligned causes must remain in the red area. Any stage must be erected in the green area." The Met have put a Public Order Act in place ahead of the hearing (Image: @metpoliceuk/X) 08:33 Daniel Bird Fans of the band have already started arriving at Westminster Magistrates' Court to show their support, with placards and some waving Palestinian flags. Fans of Kneecap have started arriving at court to show their support (Image: PA) One sign said: "Kneecap rap for what is right." While another read: "Hands off Mo Chara." Fans have been vocal over their support (Image: AP) 08:30 Daniel Bird Kneecap fans have been asked to support Óg Ó hAnnaidh outside of Westminster Magistrates Court, as well as outside Connolly Books in Temple Bar, Dublin. 08:29 KEY EVENT Taking to Instagram on Tuesday following a statement from the Met, who have imposed a Public Order Act, the band said: "We massively appreciate the support of what we know are the majority of the public, who can see this farce for what it is. It is distraction from war crimes that the British state support. "In our view this police action is designed to try and portray support for kneecap as somehow troublesome. It is a calculated political decision the night before Mo Chara's court appearance. "There is no basis for this, our last hearing was entirely peaceful and a loving show of solidarity with the most disruptive attendees the right wing media. We know all of our supporters will be, but please go out of your way to be compliant with all instructions issued, irrespective of how pitiful. "Free Palestine."
RTÉ News
an hour ago
- RTÉ News
Why are Irish consumers paying the most for electricity in Europe?
No matter what way you look at it, residential electricity prices in Ireland are expensive. When comparing electricity prices across European countries, we can look at direct 'euro' price, or we can adjust prices to account for differences in living standards and wages. Either way, Ireland is well above the European average. The reason electricity prices are higher in Ireland than in other European countries primarily relates to two elements that together constitute about 70% of our electricity bill. These are how we make electricity in Ireland and how we move it to our homes. Ireland has unique characteristics for both. From RTÉ Radio 1's Drivetime, Dr Paul Deane on why Irish users are paying the most for electricity in Europe (begins at 16.50) In producing electricity, Ireland is very reliant on natural gas, which generated about half of our electricity last year. Very few European countries have this level of exposure to natural gas. It's an important fuel for electricity in Ireland because it fills the gaps when renewables like wind are not sufficient to meet electricity demand. While natural gas is the cleanest of fossil fuels, its price over the past four years has been precarious, and its supply volatile. The price of natural gas is influenced by geopolitical events such as the war in Ukraine and developments in the Middle East. Because natural gas is also used around the world for space heating, its supply and price are also driven by weather in various parts of the world. At times during the Ukrainian war, monthly European gas prices increased by a factor of 10 and are still twice as high today as the longer-term historic average. The gas we use nationally is purchased at international prices and, because we use so much gas for electricity, its higher costs is a a primary driver of higher electricity prices. Some might argue that if we had more gas production in Ireland, it would reduce electricity prices. It is true that increased indigenous gas would reduce prices (and improve gas security), but the impact on electricity prices would be very small unless the supplier was willing to sell gas well below market prices. From RTÉ Radio 1's Today with Claire Byrne, why are so many households in electricity bill arrears? The second reason Ireland has higher prices than other EU countries is the cost of moving electricity from where it is made to where it is needed. Because Ireland has many rural and remote areas, the length of electricity wires and poles required per person is much greater than in other European countries. This longer infrastructure costs more money and is reflected in our bills. There is great uncertainty about what our electricity bills will look like over the next five to 10 years, but my view is that electricity bills are more likely to stabilise closer to today's level rather than return to the prices we saw five years ago. An average annual electricity bill this year is close to €1,400. While this is lower than it was three years ago (about €2,000), it is still higher than pre-Ukraine crisis levels of around €1,000 per year. As Ireland builds more wind and solar over the next 10 years, this will reduce the amount of gas we need to generate electricity and reduce Ireland's exposure to volatile gas prices. Building renewables to displace natural gas requires significant investment. However, investment is required whether we build renewables or not, because we have an ageing power system and infrastructure that needs upgrades and refurbishment to meet our future electricity needs. From RTÉ Radio 1's Today with Claire Byrne, how to get the best value electricity tariffs using your smart meter The economic preference for whether we build renewables or build natural gas power plants to meet our future electricity needs depends on your view of natural gas prices over the next 20 years. Generating a unit of electricity with renewables such as wind and solar in Ireland today is more cost competitive than using natural gas (though not significantly cheaper). But moving that unit of electricity from wind farms around the country will cost more, as we need to build more power lines to remote locations. If you take the view that natural gas prices over the next 20 years will be higher than today, then renewables are more economically competitive and if you assume gas prices will be lower, then the opposite occurs. It is my view that the geopolitical, environmental, and national security risks associated with natural gas sourcing and pricing are too high. It makes economic and national security sense for Ireland to invest in our own energy from renewables at home. We must manage our future expectations about the promise of cheaper electricity with great care However, we must manage our future expectations about the promise of cheaper electricity with great care. Renewables are not likely to significantly reduce electricity bills below today levels, but they will reduce volatility if gas prices spike again. Renewables also offer stable prices rather than "cheap" prices. The goal for the Irish Government should be to make electricity as affordable as possible, while acknowledging that many families will still need assistance. From a political perspective, this message is important because it means the need for targeted—rather than general—measures to assist families with energy credits will endure.
