Northern Ireland politicians, Catholics, and journalists targeted in Eleventh Night bonfires

Several Northern Ireland politicians, as well as Catholics and journalists, were targeted in bonfires that were erected for the Eleventh Night.

A bonfire in the Rathcoole area of Newtownabbey, Co Antrim featured an effigy of Colum Eastwood, the head of Northern Ireland’s Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) who was recently re-elected as an MP for Foyle.

A sign on the Newtownabbey bonfire read “Colum Eastwood your allegiance is to PIRA your next” with an arrow pointing toward the effigy.

“Nobody should be subjected to threats simply for seeking to represent their community," Eastwood told the Belfast Telegraph on Thursday night.

"I won't be intimidated by anyone from speaking up for the people of Derry and Northern Ireland.

"Everyone has the right to celebrate their cultural heritage but these displays of hate have to stop.

"I would urge political and community representatives to show leadership and use their influence to end scenes like this every year."

The Belfast Telegraph added that police confirmed the threat to Eastwood is being treated as a “hate crime.”

Cara Hunter, a member of the SDLP, shared a picture on X of the Newtownabbey bonfire, slamming it as "absolutely despicable behaviour."

She added: “Unionist leadership needs to come out strong against this nonsense and call it for what it is. 

“Clearly these people don't know Colum, and he won't be deterred by this backwards sectarian hatred. Solidarity.”

Absolutely despicable behaviour.
Unionist leadership needs to come out strong against this nonsense and call it for what it is.

Clearly these people don't know Colum, and he won't be deterred by this backwards sectarian hatred. Solidarity. pic.twitter.com/Mn7J0qUCYu

— Cara Hunter MLA 🕊 (@CaraHunterSDLP) July 11, 2024

Earlier on Thursday, organizers of the Loyalist Eastvale Avenue Bonfire Dungannon in Co Tyrone shared a photo of their bonfire, which featured posters of Sinn Féin politicians Michelle O'Neill and Pat Cullen, large letters reading "IRA" and "INLA," as well as the Irish tricolor and the Palestinian flag.

Responding to a photo of the Eastvale bonfire, as well as three other bonfires, Cullen said in part: "I’ve represented over half a million of the most brilliant nursing staff across Britain and they embraced equality, inclusiveness and diversity.

"This isn’t the culture they recognise."

Couldn’t agree more Joe. I’ve represented over half a million of the most brilliant nursing staff across Britain and they embraced equality, inclusiveness and diversity. This isn’t the culture they recognise. #totalrespect https://t.co/OPsw1sDUij

— Pat Cullen (@patcullen9) July 11, 2024

Kevin Scott, an editor with the Belfast Telegraph, shared a photo of a bonfire in South Belfast which featured a sign that said "F--- The Irish News and the Telegraph!! We'll decide!!"

The sign on the bonfire also said "ATAT," which stands for "All Taigs Are Targets," taigs being a derogatory term for Catholics.

Posters of First Minister Michelle O'Neill and SDLP MP Claire Hanna were also on the bonfire.

This is the Village bonfire in south Belfast that now has a threat - "All taigs are targets" and some disgruntlement at @BelTel and @irish_news

It comes after a UVF flag was erected on the bonfire that sits dangerously close to houses and the Westlink earlier this week.… pic.twitter.com/Rv01XiNkyr

— Kevin Scott (@Kscott_94) July 11, 2024

Donal Lyons of The Irish News responded to another bonfire that targeted his publication, labeling it "depressing."

This is depressing, not in that it’s about me but that there’s young ones being taught that this is how they can best celebrate their community & traditions.

There’s a lot more to life than poking people in the eye. https://t.co/001Ysn7WX4

— Dónal Lyons (@DonalLyons) July 11, 2024

Elsewhere, PA journalist Rebecca Black shared footage of fireworks going off behind a bonfire in Sandy Row in South Belfast. The bonfire prominently featured an Irish tricolor.

Huge firework display at the bonfire at Sandy Row in south Belfast pic.twitter.com/qEQHEf5O6n

— Rebecca Black (@RBlackPA) July 11, 2024