The burning of an effigy of the Sinn Féin Vice President is a "vile" and "depressing" act, according to the Ulster Unionist Party Leader.

Last night, an effigy was burned of Sinn Féin Vice President Michelle O'Neill was burned on a County Tyrone bonfire.

The effigy was burned alongside two Irish flags and a 1916 Society flag. It is being treated as a hate crime by police in Northern Ireland.

On Newstalk Breakfast, Ulster Unionist Party Leader Doug Beattie said the burning of effigies is "simply wrong".

"It's vile, it's depressing in many ways," he said.

"We should not be burning effigies of anybody. We should not be burning anybody's national flag, banners or posters or sectarian slogans.

"[The effigies] are absolutely self-defeating in every single way."

'Small minority'

Mr Beattie said the bonfires are typically policed by communities and are not specifically linked with Protestant orders such as The Orange Order.

"I don't think we can lay the blame on The Orange Order," he said.

"There is a small minority within communities who think that they can do this and they think they're smart by doing it.

"All they do is undermine our historical and cultural history, you know, so I don't know what they're trying to achieve by this but it's absolutely negative and every single thing that they do."

A effigy of Sinn Fein Vice President Michelle O'Neill on the Eastvale Avenue bonfire in Dungannon, on the Eleventh night to usher in the Twelfth commemorations. Picture date: Tuesday July 11, 2023.

Reservations

In order to continue to celebrate "historical narratives" while maintaining a higher level of safety, Mr Beattie is advocating for a move toward beacon lighting.

"These bonfires are, are huge ... they are truly incredible, but I do believe that they're getting out of control in many ways – in their scale and their height," he said.

"I'm really proud of their bonfires when they build them.

"Take away those who put effigies and what have you on it, but those who don't, there's a real pride with some of their bonfires."

12th Of July Bonfires Pictured children drapped in British flags beside a small fire near the Larne bonfire which is the tallest bonfire in Northern Ireland, 11/07/2022 Photo Sam Boal RollingNews.ie

The 12th of July

Mr Beattie said the 12th of July should be seen as a "a historical and religious celebration".

"[It goes] back to the Glorious Revolution and I think it's important to remember your history in many ways," he said.

"Take yourself across to England, and they have the same for Guy Fawkes Night ... take yourself to Iceland, and they have the same type of bonfires, they have bonfires in Spain, they have bonfires in Italy.

"We all remember our historical backgrounds."

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