
Kneecap effigies and Irish language signage appears on controversial Village bonfire
Belfast City Council on Wednesday ordered the dismantling of the structure following fears over its proximity to a nearby electrical substation and the presence of loose asbestos at the site.
However, the bonfire is set to proceed after the PSNI deemed it too dangerous to intervene.
As well as the effigies, the bonfire contains an Irish tricolour and Palestine flag, as well as a sign penned in Irish which reads: 'Maraigh do aitiúil Kneecap'.
Though grammatically incorrect, the message roughly translates as 'Kill your local Kneecap'.
Another sign reading 'SDLP and Alliance do not represent our community'.
It comes after a poster featuring the west Belfast rappers along with a number of sectarian slogans was attached to an Eleventh Night bonfire in Co Tyrone.
The banner, which has a photograph of the west Belfast band as its backdrop has been cable tied to the pallets used to construct the bonfire in the Dungannon area.
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.
At Sandy Row, an effigy wearing a Celtic jersey and a tricolour balaclava has been placed on top of a bonfire alongside two Palestinian flags.
A posted reading 'F**k Kneecap and Palestine' has been fixed to the structure along with another notice reading 'Stop the Boats. Deport Illegals. Stop the Invasion'.
Earlier this afternoon, MP Paul Maskey described similar sectarian displays on a bonfire in west Belfast as 'sickening'.
The offensive 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'.
Controversial 'migrant boat' bonfire is lit in Moygashel
'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.'
We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity.
A PSNI spokesperson said: 'Police have received reports regarding offensive signage placed on a bonfire in the Highfield area and in the Eastvale area of Dungannon.
'Enquiries into these matters, which are being treated as being motivated by hate, are ongoing.'
Further items, including a Palestinian flag and a notice reading 'Taigs out' have also been placed on a bonfire in the Waterside area of Londonderry, alongside a banner proclaiming solidarity between Ireland and Palestine.
Meanwhile, a drone carrying an Irish tricolour has been spotted flying over the Shankill Road as the community prepare to light their bonfire.
Footage on social media appeared to show the drone performing laps of the area.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Guardian
2 hours ago
- The Guardian
Only 1.5% of Gaza cropland left for starving Palestinians due to Israel's war, UN says
Israel's destruction of Gaza has left starving Palestinians with access to only 1.5% of cropland that is accessible and suitable for cultivation, according to new figures from the UN. This is down from 4% in April, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), suggesting Israel has continued to target Palestinian farmland since initiating a complete blockade in early March, severely restricting aid from entering the Gaza Strip, where 2 million starved people are trapped. Before the conflict, Gaza was a thriving agricultural hub, where farmers and ordinary Palestinians cultivated a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains for local consumption. According to the FAO, agriculture accounted for around 10% of the Gaza Strip's economy, and more than 560,000 people, or a quarter of the population, were at least partially supported by agriculture and fishing. Israel has targeted food sources – orchards, greenhouses, farmland and fishers – since the beginning of its siege on Gaza in October 2023. By 28 July 2025, Israel had damaged 86%, the equivalent of almost 13,000 hectares (32,000 acres), of farmland in the Gaza Strip – up from 81% in April, the FAO said. While just under 9% of cropland is still physically accessible, only 1.5% – the equivalent of 232 hectares – is both accessible and not damaged by the Israeli offensive. 'Gaza is now on the brink of a full-scale famine. People are starving not because food is unavailable, but because access is blocked, local agrifood systems have collapsed, and families can no longer sustain even the most basic livelihoods,' said FAO director-general Qu Dongyu. 'We urgently need safe and sustained humanitarian access and immediate support to restore local food production and livelihoods – this is the only way to prevent further loss of life. The right to food is a basic human right.' In northern Gaza, Israeli tanks and bombs have destroyed or damaged 94% of what was among the most fertile, productive land in the territory, and Palestinians have no access to the remaining 6% of their cropland. In Rafah, near the Egypt border, 79% is flattened and the rest has been blocked as part of Israel's so-called military corridor. Last week, Israeli forces partially demolished a seed bank in Hebron, in the West Bank, destroying tools and equipments used to used to reproduce heirloom seeds. UN experts, agencies and aid groups have been warning since early 2024 that Israel is orchestrating a campaign of deliberate mass starvation in Gaza by systematically destroying local food production and blocking aid, in violation of international law. Hundreds of Palestinians have now starved to death, and thousands more have been killed trying to access food aid. Earlier this week, Michael Fakhri, the UN special rapporteur on the right to food, told the Guardian: 'Israel has built the most efficient starvation machine you can imagine. So while it's always shocking to see people being starved, no one should act surprised. All the information has been out in the open since early 2024.'


Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Tragic Irish designer mystery as pals pay tribute & cops probe cause of death after body found on boat at plush resort
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN Irish fashion designer has been found dead on a boat docked in a plush resort in The Hamptons. But police are still trying to figure out how Martha Nolan, 33, died after the preliminary examination into the cause of her death was 'inconclusive'. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Irish fashion designer Martha Nolan has been found dead on a boat Credit: Social Media Collect 6 Cops were called to the Montauk Yacht Club, in New York, in the early hours of Tuesday Credit: NYP/Dennis A. Clark 6 Influencers and celebrities often flock to the area, known as The Hamptons Cops were called to the Montauk Yacht Club, in New York, in the early hours of Tuesday. A 911 call was made by a man at around midnight 'reporting a woman unconscious on a boat', a statement from the Suffolk County Police Department said. They added: 'Good Samaritans attempted to perform CPR on the woman.' However, police said Martha was 'pronounced dead on the boat by first responders'. Officers said earlier: 'The preliminary investigation and exam were inconclusive regarding the cause of death, which will be determined by an autopsy.' In a later update, Suffolk County Police Department said an autopsy had been conducted and that it "did not show evidence of violence and her final cause of death is pending further examination". Boaters in the area told how they heard screams coming from the yacht, named Ripple, when Carlow native Martha's body was found. And a member of the exclusive Long Island yacht club said the vessel's owner roared 'that's my girlfriend' as he begged for help. Homicide detectives are among the law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation. Martha, the founder of fashion label East x East, regularly posted about her luxury lifestyle on social media, including videos travelling on private jets and helicopters. 'LOVELY WOMAN' And an Irish pal said friends are devastated by her shock death. He told The Irish Sun: 'She was a lovely woman, very driven to be successful in business. 'I hadn't seen her in a few years since moving home from the US but she was living a very glamorous lifestyle in New York. 'She was clever and knew what she was doing with her posts on social media. She knew what she wanted and was committed to attainting it. It's very sad.' 'DEVASTATING LOSS' The Department of Foreign Affairs is aware of the case and is providing consular assistance. And Taoiseach Micheal Martin said the death is an 'absolutely devastating blow for the family', calling Martha 'a young, beautiful, very talented, creative woman'. The Fianna Fail leader added: 'Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. We can't comment any further other than to say it's a devastating loss for the family and the community in Carlow.' Carlow Sinn Fein councillor Jim Deane told how 'people are just shocked at the news locally'. 'ALWAYS SMILING' He added: 'It's such a sad thing to hear that a young vibrant woman who had the world at her feet has died.' FF councillor Andrea Dalton added: 'I know the community of Carlow will rally around Martha's family at this difficult time.' A member of the Montauk Yacht Club remembered Martha fondly. They said: 'She was well known in the community. She was very friendly. Always smiling.' BUSINESS PARTNER'S TRIBUTE Business partner Dylan Grace tonight paid a heartbreaking Instagram tribute to Martha. He wrote: 'We dreamed big together, laughed harder than anyone else could understand, and built so much from nothing. "I'm truly blessed and grateful to have had you in my life. "Love you so much Mar. Fly high girl." Influencers and celebrities often flock to the area, especially in the summer months. CELEB HAUNT The Montauk Yacht Club offers a number of rooms, which can cost around $1,500 in the summer. It also boasts high-end restaurants and Montauk's only padel courts. A spokesperson said they are 'are saddened to learn of the tragic incident that took place'. They added: 'Our team is co-operating with law enforcement in their ongoing investigation and remains committed to the safety and well-being of our guests and staff.' GLAM LIFESTYLE Tragic Martha, a self-professed entrepreneur and brand growth consultant, was living a glamorous lifestyle in New York. She took rides on helicopters and private jets, videos posted on her TikTok account reveal. She took a Falcon jet to Nashville with pals for a concert in 2021, telling of her '#milehighclub' life in the captions. And a clip from last year gave an insight into a luxury hol to the Caribbean island of Saint Barts. FASHION BRAND SUCCESS Her fashion brand, East x East, has been trading almost four years, according to her LinkedIn profile. And just weeks before her death, she reflected on the fashion brand's success. She showed off the pop-up shop that she had launched in Montauk, adding: 'Goals Achieved.' In the video, her final TikTok post, she showed off clothing that was neatly hung on rails. FINAL POST Martha, who got a degree and a master's from UCD, was also the founder of Duper, an affordable unisex fashion brand. Last year she spoke to The Irish Independent about life in New York, describing herself as 'a small town girl who needed to get out to achieve her big dreams'. She said: 'I always knew I wanted to be successful, that I was money driven, business driven and that fashion is a tough industry and it would be a slow road. 'I made friends in the institute and at college and a new group in New York, but I still have all my Carlow friends. They are still my crew. After gaining experience in the industry, my entrepreneurial spirit and passion for fashion led me to launch my own ventures. 'PASSION FOR FASHION' 'East x East is my resortwear brand, borne out of a desire to merge my love for travel with my marketing expertise.' In the chat, Martha describes life in New York as a 'whirlwind of activity'. She said: 'Sometimes I have to work very late, as I could be chatting to manufacturers at all hours. 'I travel a lot, I take the time to play hard as well as work hard but work is constantly on my mind. 'I drink alcohol but also in moderation. I honestly think people in New York drink more than Ireland, that was one of the culture shocks I got. Back home no one has money to go out — people here drop $150 without a thought.' She added: 'I love Carlow, I miss it so much, but now that I work for myself I can go home for a month and my parents and my friends are always coming out to see me.' 6 Police are still trying to figure out how Martha, 33, died Credit: Social Media Collect 6 The preliminary examination into the cause of her death was 'inconclusive' Credit: Social Media Collect


Spectator
5 hours ago
- Spectator
Haircuts are a human right!
During the immigration deluge in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, it seems one Afghan and one Indian national who threw themselves on the mercy of much-besieged Ireland got lost in the shuffle. Fobbed off with €25 vouchers, they were obliged to sometimes sleep rough for two months, without access to food and hygiene and exposed to hardship and fear. They've sued the Irish state. Knowing Irish NGOs, I bet they got help. The government has argued that the pressures on Ireland's hospitality at the time were severe enough to qualify as a force majeure. Their reception centres were full to bursting and there was no room at the inn (and haven't we heard that before). The Irish High Court sought a ruling from the European Court of Justice. Last Friday, the ECJ determined that being overwhelmed and full up did not reprieve the state from its obligations under the EU Reception Conditions Directive to provide all asylum seekers with, among other things, housing, food, clothing and education for minors. Therefore, having been cheated of such provisions, the petitioners are likely due compensation. Why, those 71 days of Down and Out in Dublin could really pay off. So no matter how limitless an inundation of indigent foreigners and how finite their own resources, European states literally owe nationals from all over the world a living. Because housing is a 'human right'. (Certainly it's a human right according to the New York Democratic mayoral nominee, Zohran Mamdani, who hopes to extend the city's hitherto ruinously universal 'right to shelter'.) Food is a 'human right'. Healthcare is a 'human right' (often extending to sex-change operations). The umbrella of 'human rights' does nothing but expand and now protects not merely citizens but anyone from anywhere who rocks up on your patch. Imagine, then, that you were born in a rural area of an African country whose political rhetoric isn't so loftily supranational. If you don't scratch a few mouthfuls from your parched smallholding, you don't eat. Your 'accommodation' wouldn't naturally command such a grand label: a grass-roofed hut with a mud floor. Inside you cook on an open fire, the smoke from which is ravaging your lungs. Second-rate healthcare may be available only after a long, expensive journey. Education for your children requires school fees you may not be able to afford. Anyone in such circumstances who hears tell of a place where all these basic needs are 'human rights' even for foreigners and doesn't hightail it to such a Valhalla would have to be stupid, lazy or crazy. Brits shouldn't feel smug about no longer being required to follow the likes of the EU Reception Conditions Directive (yet; give our friend Sir Keir a bit more time), because in the UK asylum seekers are due not just free room and board, but often luxury hotel digs – with four-poster beds, video games and all-you-can-eat buffets – as well as group outings to the circus and safari parks. For British asylum seekers, even Netflix and Disney+ are 'human rights'. Funnily enough, Whitehall doesn't consider such subscriptions human rights for its own citizenry, some of whom, astonishingly, have to pay for them. This human rights business is a bigger issue than its influence on immigration. Is it really the case that the world, or at least your government, owes you a living from the off? At this point, too, maybe we should be asking what's not a human right. In fact, many folks seriously argue that access to the smartphones and the internet is now a human right. Well, we all grow hair. So shouldn't haircuts be a human right? Electricity, clean running water and indoor plumbing? If so, why should anyone pay utility bills? In both British and American cities, the effective decriminalisation of shoplifting – which progressives justify as the poor's response to 'inequality' – means just about any off-the-shelf good is a human right. Razor blades. Turtlenecks. Mayonnaise. A human right is anything you happen to need. Bloated welfare rolls suggest that opting for benefits in Britain has become a lifestyle choice. Taking advantage of a host of programmes, Americans, too, can amass more in state support than the average wage. But isn't that nice? Haven't we created a better world, in which everything is free and work is elective? That way you only take a job if it's fun. Alas, gifting sweeping human rights to some people takes other people's human rights away. Requiring the state to provide all-comers with housing, food, clothing, healthcare and, yeah, maybe even haircuts implicitly demands that the state requisition these resources from the few suckers who still work for a living. The suckers are punished twice: they provide their own basic needs – even their own safari park tickets! – and then they provide the basic needs of everyone else. Eventually the smarter dray horses will stop hauling the cart and jump in the hay wagon, too. The western welfare state disables the survival instinct – or at least reroutes it from foraging in the forest to foraging on governmental websites. State dependents apply all the cunning, ingenuity and resourcefulness they might otherwise have employed to keep body and soul together in a more Darwinian social landscape to filling out forms, researching on TikTok what phrases to use in Zoom interviews with bureaucrats and maximising motability schemes. This is where I'm supposed to add: 'Of course, advanced societies shouldn't let people starve!' But maybe this ostensibly unquestionable precept has sown the seeds of our destruction. A handful of genuinely hungry people could be usefully cautionary. Western refusal to house, feed and clothe every newcomer might encourage more would-be immigrants to make a go of things where they are. And without handouts, you can bet most of those anxious and depressed young people currently swelling the disability rolls would figure out how to obtain a sandwich before they fainted from malnutrition.