Replica of mosque placed on top of loyalist bonfire in Tyrone

By Jonathan McCambridge, Press Association

A replica of a mosque has been placed on top of a loyalist bonfire pyre in Co Tyrone.

The model was visible on top of the pyre in Moygashel on Thursday.

Signs stating “Secure our borders” and “End the threat of radical Islam” have also been placed on the fire, which is made up of pallets and which is due to be set alight on Friday night.

The same bonfire has attracted controversy in previous years.

Last year, there was condemnation after effigies of migrants in a boat were burned on the bonfire in Moygashel.

Eleventh night bonfires will be lit across Northern Ireland on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings ahead of the Orange Order’s July 12 parades, which are taking place on Monday.

While most of the bonfires pass off without incident, several have become the focus of contention due to the placing of flags, effigies and election posters on the structures before they are ignited.

Last month in Moygashel, police removed a banner from a children’s playpark, stating it was being treated as a hate crime.