Man arrested for placing a model of a mosque atop a bonfire in Northern Ireland

Police in Northern Ireland on Thursday arrested a man who placed a model of a mosque accompanied by anti-Islam messages on top of a bonfire during traditional celebrations.

Police said in a statement: 'A 56-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of violating public order laws.'

Signs bearing the slogans 'Protect Our Borders' and 'Stop the Danger of Extremist Islam' were placed on the bonfire, which was made of wooden pallets, and the phrase 'Islamic Fascism' was written on the front of the mosque model.

This display was set up in the village of Moygashel in the south of the country. During last year's celebrations, a boat carrying dolls representing migrants was placed on a bonfire, accompanied by signs reading 'Stop the Boats'.

Amnesty International on Thursday condemned this 'despicable' act, which it described as 'a blatant attempt to incite hatred against Muslims and intimidate local families.'

In a post on X, British Minister of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn condemned what he called a 'sickening and cowardly act of intimidation.'

He said: 'We must stand together and categorically reject such hatred.'