₦airaland Forum

Archbishop condemns ‘racist’ boat bonfire effigy in Northern Ireland (UK)

Thu, 10 July 2025 at 2:24 pm

The Church of Ireland’s Archbishop of Armagh, John McDowell, has issued a condemnation of a bonfire effigy in Tyrone, Northern Ireland depicting a boat of migrants, describing it as “racist, threatening and offensive.”

In a strongly-worded statement, Archbishop McDowell said the effigy, placed atop a loyalist bonfire in Moygashel, Co Tyrone, is a source of “humiliation and lasting shame,” and has no place in either Christianity or Protestant culture.

Quoting from the Book of Leviticus, He said: “The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as one of your citizens; you shall love him as yourself” – the Archbishop said the display is “inhuman and deeply sub-Christian.”

He stressed that such imagery contradicts the teachings of the Christian faith and misrepresents the values of the Protestant tradition.

Referencing the bible verse he said: "These are the words from the Law of God to his people. He is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. If we compare them with the effigy of a boat of migrants which sits, to our humiliation and lasting shame, on top of a bonfire in Moygashel, it exposes that effigy for what it is – racist, threatening and offensive.

"It certainly has nothing whatsoever to do with Christianity or with Protestant culture and is in fact inhuman and deeply sub–Christian."

The boat, containing more than a dozen life-sized mannequins wearing life jackets, was unveiled on top of the bonfire. Below the boat are several placards, one stating “stop the boats” and another “veterans before refugees”.

The bonfire, which is due to be lit as part of the Eleventh Night celebrations, has already drawn widespread criticism.

Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew described the effigy as “deplorable”.

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

“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. They are our friends, our neighbours, and are welcomed, cherished and valued by the vast majority of people here.

“Political leaders in this area must step up, call for the removal of these offensive materials and make it clear they do not support such vile, deplorable views.”

Sinn Féin MP Pat Cullen described the effigy as a “clear incitement to hatred” and called for its immediate removal.

SDLP councillor Malachy Quinn said he had reported the display to the police.

“Those responsible for this hateful display claim to be celebrating British culture,” he said.

“Let’s be clear, racism and intimidation are not culture. This isn’t pride, it’s poison.

“It is an affront to every decent person in our community.”

Alliance councillor Eddie Roofe said the placing of the model of a small boat of refugees on the bonfire in Moygashel was “despicable”.

“It is nothing but a blatant act of racism and hatred and cannot be excused as a celebration of culture.

“Those responsible only seek to incite fear and spread far-right beliefs and do not represent the community as a whole.”

Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International’s Northern Ireland director, described the bonfire as a “vile, dehumanising act that fuels hatred and racism”.

“Amnesty International urges the authorities to ensure its immediate removal and calls on the PSNI to investigate and hold those responsible to account,” he said.

“A clear and unequivocal message must be sent that xenophobia and incitement to hatred have no place in our society.”

“I hope that the many people from other countries, who live in that area, and who contribute so much to the economy and to the diversity of Dungannon, can be reassured that it does not in any way represent the feeling of the vast majority of their neighbours,” he added.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFbut4xXs3Q


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUVpi3FH8F4


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUVKuCmz0ao

coolcharm:
There are levels to this racism thing. Some stem from deep rooted hatred and evil (like this one)

coolcharm:
There are levels to this racism thing. Some stem from deep rooted hatred and evil (like this one)

Eraddray:
I don talk am many times...any day any oyinbo make a racist comment at me.. especially telling me to return to my country, I'll tell am...u can't come to Africa and loot all our resources, destabilize our system and u even use our resources to build ur own country and u want to enjoy it alone...no way...until we fix our problem...we will enjoy here together

Eraddray:
I don talk am many times...any day any oyinbo make a racist comment at me.. especially telling me to return to my country, I'll tell am...u can't come to Africa and loot all our resources, destabilize our system and u even use our resources to build ur own country and u want to enjoy it alone...no way...until we fix our problem...we will enjoy here together

Judolisco:
No need to stop d boats jst bring them in and deport them back to where they are coming from.....

I'll blame Europe partly for this.... The black man or politician who has no built no school in his community, or industry will come to your country open a bank account and deposit millions, and you won't question it, you'll collect the money and use it to boost your economy...

An African politician who builds substandard schools and hospitals at home often sends his own child abroad for education and travels to Europe for medical treatment, using public funds that could have developed his community.

Until Europe stops allowing corrupt African leaders to access healthcare, education, and security in their countries, these leaders will continue to deny such basic rights at home, and migration to Europe will keep increasing.

Judolisco:
No need to stop d boats jst bring them in and deport them back to where they are coming from.....

I'll blame Europe partly for this.... The black man or politician who has no built no school in his community, or industry will come to your country open a bank account and deposit millions, and you won't question it, you'll collect the money and use it to boost your economy...

An African politician who builds substandard schools and hospitals at home often sends his own child abroad for education and travels to Europe for medical treatment, using public funds that could have developed his community.

Until Europe stops allowing corrupt African leaders to access healthcare, education, and security in their countries, these leaders will continue to deny such basic rights at home, and migration to Europe will keep increasing.

Judolisco:
No need to stop d boats jst bring them in and deport them back to where they are coming from.....

I'll blame Europe partly for this.... The black man or politician who has no built no school in his community, or industry will come to your country open a bank account and deposit millions, and you won't question it, you'll collect the money and use it to boost your economy...

An African politician who builds substandard schools and hospitals at home often sends his own child abroad for education and travels to Europe for medical treatment, using public funds that could have developed his community.

Until Europe stops allowing corrupt African leaders to access healthcare, education, and security in their countries, these leaders will continue to deny such basic rights at home, and migration to Europe will keep increasing.

Judolisco:
No need to stop d boats jst bring them in and deport them back to where they are coming from.....

I'll blame Europe partly for this.... The black man or politician who has no built no school in his community, or industry will come to your country open a bank account and deposit millions, and you won't question it, you'll collect the money and use it to boost your economy...

An African politician who builds substandard schools and hospitals at home often sends his own child abroad for education and travels to Europe for medical treatment, using public funds that could have developed his community.

Until Europe stops allowing corrupt African leaders to access healthcare, education, and security in their countries, these leaders will continue to deny such basic rights at home, and migration to Europe will keep increasing.

Eraddray:
I don talk am many times...any day any oyinbo make a racist comment at me.. especially telling me to return to my country, I'll tell am...u can't come to Africa and loot all our resources, destabilize our system and u even use our resources to build ur own country and u want to enjoy it alone...no way...until we fix our problem...we will enjoy here together

Eraddray:
I don talk am many times...any day any oyinbo make a racist comment at me.. especially telling me to return to my country, I'll tell am...u can't come to Africa and loot all our resources, destabilize our system and u even use our resources to build ur own country and u want to enjoy it alone...no way...until we fix our problem...we will enjoy here together

Judolisco:
No need to stop d boats jst bring them in and deport them back to where they are coming from.....

I'll blame Europe partly for this.... The black man or politician who has no built no school in his community, or industry will come to your country open a bank account and deposit millions, and you won't question it, you'll collect the money and use it to boost your economy...

An African politician who builds substandard schools and hospitals at home often sends his own child abroad for education and travels to Europe for medical treatment, using public funds that could have developed his community.

Until Europe stops allowing corrupt African leaders to access healthcare, education, and security in their countries, these leaders will continue to deny such basic rights at home, and migration to Europe will keep increasing.

Judolisco:
No need to stop d boats jst bring them in and deport them back to where they are coming from.....

I'll blame Europe partly for this.... The black man or politician who has no built no school in his community, or industry will come to your country open a bank account and deposit millions, and you won't question it, you'll collect the money and use it to boost your economy...

An African politician who builds substandard schools and hospitals at home often sends his own child abroad for education and travels to Europe for medical treatment, using public funds that could have developed his community.

Until Europe stops allowing corrupt African leaders to access healthcare, education, and security in their countries, these leaders will continue to deny such basic rights at home, and migration to Europe will keep increasing.

Eraddray:
I don talk am many times...any day any oyinbo make a racist comment at me.. especially telling me to return to my country, I'll tell am...u can't come to Africa and loot all our resources, destabilize our system and u even use our resources to build ur own country and u want to enjoy it alone...no way...until we fix our problem...we will enjoy here together

Judolisco:
No need to stop d boats jst bring them in and deport them back to where they are coming from.....

I'll blame Europe partly for this.... The black man or politician who has no built no school in his community, or industry will come to your country open a bank account and deposit millions, and you won't question it, you'll collect the money and use it to boost your economy...

An African politician who builds substandard schools and hospitals at home often sends his own child abroad for education and travels to Europe for medical treatment, using public funds that could have developed his community.

Until Europe stops allowing corrupt African leaders to access healthcare, education, and security in their countries, these leaders will continue to deny such basic rights at home, and migration to Europe will keep increasing.

Judolisco:
No need to stop d boats jst bring them in and deport them back to where they are coming from.....

I'll blame Europe partly for this.... The black man or politician who has no built no school in his community, or industry will come to your country open a bank account and deposit millions, and you won't question it, you'll collect the money and use it to boost your economy...

An African politician who builds substandard schools and hospitals at home often sends his own child abroad for education and travels to Europe for medical treatment, using public funds that could have developed his community.

Until Europe stops allowing corrupt African leaders to access healthcare, education, and security in their countries, these leaders will continue to deny such basic rights at home, and migration to Europe will keep increasing.

coolcharm:
There are levels to this racism thing. Some stem from deep rooted hatred and evil (like this one)

Originalsly:
Does anything in the report tell you it was about Africans? What makes you believe they're referring to Africans? Veterans before refugees ... doesn't that imply refugees are treated better than veterans? ... and do you think that would be African refugees? ... or European refugees? There is war in Ukraine ... citizens fleeing ...have you ever heard of any IDP camps for them? ... so where are they fleeing to? Ireland is one such destination where the government facilitate and subsidize their stay. They have a point....but their method of making it can cause incitement. They built what they built and carried out their plan uninterrupted....shows that despite the condemnation.... the local Police did nothing which means the community is in agreement....even the people sitting in the pews listening to the condemnation by the senior MoG.