A photo of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was displayed on a bonfire and burned last night in Moygashel, Co Tyrone.
The photo was attached to a boat on top of a bonfire named “No Irish Sea Border Bonfire”, along with an Irish Republic flag.
A mock copy of the Good Friday Agreement with the words “null and void” printed over it was also burned, along with a banner reading “Good Friday Agreement? That ship has sailed”.
Locals also made a sign reading “Moygashel says ‘No’ to Irish Sea border”, referring to the unionist and loyalist communities’ opposition to post-Brexit trading arrangements.
People gather to burn a pyre with a boat on top in Moygashel, Co Tyrone. Credit: Niall Carson/PA WireThe bonfire was lit last night following a parade and an address by loyalist activist Jamie Bryson.
"For 25 years, it has been an ethos that unionism must give and nationalism must get," he said. "It's time to say enough is enough - and more than that, it's time to right some wrongs."
Most of the loyalist bonfires are set to be lit on July 11th, on the eve of the marking of the victory of the Protestant King William over the Catholic King James II in the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.
July 11th is the busiest date for the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service which usually deals with hundreds of calls related to the towering pyres.
The pyre burning at a loyalist gathering in Moygashel, Co Tyrone. Image: Niall Carson/PA WireEarlier on Saturday, the only annual Orange Order parade in the Republic of Ireland took place.
Orange lodges from Donegal, Monaghan and Cavan – along with guests from Northern Ireland – took part in the seaside procession in Rossnowlagh.
Rossnowlagh 2023: pic.twitter.com/UhiIjXYd5v
— The Loyal Orders (@OrangeBlackABOD) July 8, 2023
The annual Drumcree parade will also take place today in Co Armagh.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the parade being prevented from completing its traditional return route along Garvaghy Road due to opposition from nationalist residents.
