The Twelfth forever

There was some bad business this past week in the north of Ireland. This being the week of the Twelfth of July, some members of the Protestant community in Moygashel, Co. Tyrone started celebrating a military victory by their side in 1690 by igniting a huge bonfire Wednesday. It was crowned with a replica of a mosque. 

Brian Neill of Dungannon is in jail facing charges for climbing to the top of the pallets to install the two signs. The bonfire was set on Wednesday night before police could dismantle it.

In years past this same group of Loyalists has generated publicity for its cause by burning flags of the Republic of Ireland, police cars, effigies of the Pope and a boatful of refugees. 

If you want to see pictures and read details about this year’s sideshow, I suggest the links below.  But first. Does showing this stuff further the cause of these contemporary Cross burners? Yes. Which is why they try to top themselves each year. Why not ignore this year’s outrage? Firefighters had to deal with 151 active fire incidents in eight hours in the north. It’s hard not to want to know why. And know more.

Facebook has saturation aggregation of photos and news stories here.  I’m not in the habit of linking to the Meta machine, but this is as good a place as any to see what the local newspaper/websites are reporting and what the usual suspects on both sides are saying. Propaganda alert!

A police helicopter was overhead when a model of a mosque was unveiled at the top of the stack of pallets in Moygashel. Arrested: Brian Neill, a tree surgeon from Dungannon with 123 prior convictions, on one count of Incitement to Hatred. Check out this report from a news organization called called Inside the Courtroom NI.  

Does any of this sound familiar? Last year’s bonfire was topped with effigies of refugees in a boat. The full story from the PHS website here. 

Moygashel - July 11, 2025.