Effigies of Sinn Fein and Alliance leaders hanging from bonfire branded "sick"
Likenesses of Naomi Long, Michelle O'Neill and Mary-Lou McDonald were pictured hanging from a bonfire.
Last updated 13th Jul 2022
Police are investigating after images on social media seemed to depict three female leaders hanging from a County Antrim bonfire.
Life-sized models with the faces of Sinn Fein’s Michelle O’Neill and Mary-Lou McDonald and Alliance’s Naomi Long were tied to the pyre for the 11th of July, which is believed to have been in Carrickfergus.
"I felt physically sick"
Naomi Long said the images made her feel sick and called to and end to the burning of effigies.
The Justice Minister tweeted: "I felt physically sick at those photos - not just at the effigies but at the festering hatred and sectarianism they represent; hatred that not only persists in our community but is being passed on to the next generation as normal.
"This has to stop.
"Our children deserve better."
Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly said burning flags and effigies amounts to “hate crime”.
“The burning of flags, posters and effigies which included First Minister Elect Michelle O’Neill, party leader Mary Lou McDonald and other political figures on bonfires is wrong, deeply offensive and is a hate crime.
“Sinn Féin has reported a number of hate crimes to the PSNI related to bonfires.
“The police say they have been gathering evidence on these hate crimes, what the public needs to see is action.
“All this highlights the need for safeguarding regulations around bonfires which has become an imperative.
“No bonfire should pose a threat to the safety of people, property or the environment or be an excuse for people to vent hate.”
Police statement
Downtown/ Cool FM asked the PSNI for comment. A statement said: "The Police Service is aware of images which have emerged showing effigies placed on a bonfire in Carrickfergus and are investigating."
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