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Effigies of migrants in a boat sit atop a bonfire at Moygashel, Co Tyrone (Image: PA)
Contentious migrant effigies at the centre of a growing racism row in Belfast have been set ablaze, after police declined to help Belfast City Council remove material from the bonfire site. A council committee had voted on Wednesday to send contractors to dismantle the towering structure on Meridi Street, just off the Donegall Road.
But the controversial decision has now been met with pushback, including from the police who have opted not to assist in the operation. Belfast DUP councillors have triggered a ‘call-in’ procedure in response to the move, stalling the council’s plan to clear the site. The dispute follows growing concerns over the presence of asbestos near the bonfire and warnings it could affect the power supply to both the Royal and City Hospitals if left unchecked.
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Local sources say it is possible the bonfire will be lit in a matter of hours, a move which would prove to be highly contentious.
That concludes our live coverage. For more, please visit www.dailyexpress.co.uk
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yesterday05:33 Michael D. Carroll
WATCH: The buildup to the lighting of the mock migrant boat
A video posted on X shows what the boat looked like closeup before it was set on fire.
Moygashel Bonfire, Northern Ireland Tomorrow Night 10.30pm \ud83d\udd25
The message is CRYSTAL CLEAR
\ud83d\uded1 STOP THE BOATS \ud83d\uded1 pic.twitter.com/2pW1t9OCHQ
\u2014 Active Patriot (@ActivePatriotUK) July 9, 2025
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2 days ago02:20 Michael D. Carroll
WATCH: Video shows the power of the fire
A video being shared virally on X shows how fireworks popped around the fire as it blazed high above the crowd that had gathered around the tower.
The Irish are done! Bonfire in Moygashel set to protest invasion of unwanted foreigners. What a beautiful sight! pic.twitter.com/AqARi45TtV
\u2014 Info Battle Maiden (@info_maiden) July 10, 2025
2 days ago00:28 Michael D. Carroll
Police investigate bonfire as a possible 'hate crime'
A loyalist bonfire in Co Tyrone topped with a controversial effigy of migrants in a boat has been set alight, drawing widespread condemnation from across the political spectrum in Northern Ireland.
The display, located in Moygashel on the outskirts of Dungannon, was lit ahead of the Orange Order’s annual 12 July parades. An Irish tricolour flag was also placed on the towering pyre.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed they were investigating the incident as a potential hate crime, after images of the effigy sparked a public backlash.
Around 300 bonfires are expected to be burned across Northern Ireland over the course of tonight and tomorrow, as part of the traditional Eleventh Night commemorations.
However, the Moygashel display has provoked fierce criticism, with political representatives from various parties calling it deeply offensive and unacceptable.
Effigies of migrants in a boat burn atop a bonfire at Moygashel, Co Tyrone (Image: PA)
2 days ago00:02 Michael D. Carroll
WATCH: Committee claims bonfire 'not racist' just 'disgust'
A video posted on X prior to the fire, by the Moygashel Bonfire Committee, attempts to justify the building of the contentious bonfire structure.
In Northern Ireland they prepared wood for a famous bonfire in Moygashel. Moygashel Bonfire Committee has said that the bonfire "topper" should not be seen as "racist, threatening or offensive" and it is "expressing our disgust at the ongoing crisis that is illegal immigration." pic.twitter.com/uyf6tnRsIP
\u2014 RadioGenoa (@RadioGenoa) July 10, 2025
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2 days ago23:55 Michael D. Carroll
Latest images show intense fire visible for miles
The latest images filed by Press Association show the impact of what has been called a "racist" bonfire tower on the city-scape of Belfast, Northern Ireland.
The bonfire was intense (Image: PA)
Effigies of migrants in a boat sit atop a bonfire at Moygashel, Co Tyrone, (Image: PA)
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2 days ago23:31 Michael D. Carroll
Five asbestos sources removed
BBC journalist Brendan Hughs has reported that five suspected sources of asbestos have been removed from sites close to the bonfires.
Breaking: Fragments of suspected asbestos were found at five locations around the site of the Meridi Street bonfire near the Westlink in south Belfast, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency has said.
Full statement pic.twitter.com/gJIxKYRhYe
\u2014 Brendan Hughes (@brendanhughes64) July 10, 2025