BURNING HATE

Bonfire with effigies of migrants in boat slammed as 'vile' & 'racist' by politicians

- BY DAVID YOUNG, JONATHAN McCAMBRIDGE and REBECCA BLACK

EFFIGIES of migrants in a boat have been placed on a loyalist bonfire prompting condemnation and calls for it to be removed.

The boat containing more than a dozen life-sized mannequins wearing life jackets has been erected on top of the bonfire in Moygashel on the outskirts of Dungannon in Co Tyrone.

Below it are several placards, one stating “stop the boats” and another “veterans before refugees”.

Sinn Fein Assembly member for Fermanagh and South Tyrone Colm Gildernew branded the display “vile” and “deplorable”.

“This is an absolutely disgusting act, fuelled by sickening racist and far-right attitudes,” he said.

“This is a clear incitement to hatred and must be removed immediately.

“Those who come to our island to make it their home are not the enemy.