Five men have been arrested by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) in connection with an investigation into a replica mosque placed on a loyalist bonfire in Moygashel, County Tyrone, in July. According to the Irish News, the arrests occurred during a proactive police operation targeting the controversial display.
Arrests Made Under Public Order Act
According to the Irish Examiner, Mid Ulster District Commander Superintendent Peter Stevenson stated that the suspects were detained on suspicion of offenses under the Public Order Act. Three men, aged 27, 38, and 51, were arrested during a morning operation. Later that afternoon, two additional men, aged 58 and 74, were taken into custody.
All five individuals remained in police custody as of the latest police updates. This brings the total number of arrests in the ongoing investigation to six, following an earlier arrest in July that already resulted in a court appearance, as reported by the Irish Examiner.
Public Outrage and Community Reaction
The display—a wooden pallet structure topped with a model of a mosque—was erected ahead of the Twelfth of July celebrations, drawing widespread criticism from politicians, human rights campaigners, and community leaders.
The Moygashel bonfire site has been the focus of previous controversy during annual unionist commemorations.
Police Investigation and Next Steps
The PSNI has not disclosed a specific motive behind the display but confirmed that inquiries are active and ongoing. Investigators are examining the materials placed on the bonfire to determine the full scope of offenses committed under public order legislation.
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