A single person – one Brian Neill – was originally charged with “incitement to hatred” in connection with a miniature mosque and various signs (Reuters) being placed on a Moygashel bonfire in July; charges against four others followed (BBC | Irish Times | AOL).
Police had amassed the means and the people to remove the model (and people to protect those people), but the organisers instead chose to light the pyre a day early, destroying both as bonfire and as evidence (BBC).
Neill’s bail was initially rejected – which prompted the board seen above, and a Go Fund Me campaign to support those charged was launched though later banned from the platform (Fb). Neill was released on bail in early November after serving the maximum equivalent time on remand (Court News NI Fb).
Main Road, Moygashel
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2026 Paddy Duffy
T09988
