'Childish & unacceptable'

Unionist leaders blast pyre pic of Leo as cops probe 'hate crime'

- REBECCA BLACK

THE placing of an Irish flag and a picture of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar on a loyalist bonfire is being investigated by cops as a “hate crime”. 

The towering pyre in Moygashel, Co Tyrone, attracted attention online after a boat was placed on top of it.

By Saturday evening, a Tricolour and a republican flag, as well as a picture of Fine Gael chief Varadkar, had been added onto the boat.

Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Inspector John Keers said: “We received a report on Saturday in relation to material placed on a bonfire in the Main Road area of Moygashel. Police are treating this as a hate crime.”

On the side of the boat a banner reading “Good Friday Agreement? That ship has sailed” was hung, with a mock copy of the 1998 accord with the words “null and void” printed.

Given the title “No Irish Sea Border Bonfire”, in reference to opposition in unionist and loyalist communities to post-Brexit trading arrangements, the fire was lit at around 11pm after a parade and an address by loyalist activist Jamie Bryson.