A BONFIRE in Newry which had signs mocking security forces murdered by paramilitaries is being treated by police as a "hate incident".
Signs on the republican pyre in the Parkhead housing estate included references to 18 soldiers killed by an IRA bomb attack at Narrow Water in August 1979.
The displays also named Constable Stephen Carroll and prison officer David Black, who were shot dead in separate attacks by dissident republicans.
Other signs contained sectarian slogans and mocked the recently deceased victims campaigner Willie Frazer, whose father was murdered by the IRA.
Police yesterday confirmed they received a report about the material placed on the bonfire in the Camlough Road area.
"As a police service we recognise the hurt and frustration that this has caused, to many in the community," a PSNI inspector said.
"The display of this material has been perceived as offensive and distasteful.
"Police are treating this as a hate incident and should evidence come to light that a crime has been committed and suspects identified they will be brought before the courts."
Sinn Féin's Mickey Brady described it as a hate crime, saying it brought "huge dismay and great disgrace to Newry".
The Newry and Armagh MP said the display "has nothing whatsoever to do with the legacy of internment".
Bonfires are lit in some nationalist areas to mark the anniversary of the introduction of internment – detention without trial – on August 9 1971.
David Black's son Kyle Black, who recently became a DUP councillor, expressed his disgust.
"Absolutely sickened to see my dad's name on a bonfire again tonight in Newry, along with Constable Stephen Carroll and Willy Frazer," he said on Twitter.
"I will never understand the mentality of those who seek to cause further hurt by placing the names of our loved ones on a bonfire."
Union flags and the Parachute Regiment flag were also placed on the pyre.
UUP councillor David Taylor, who reported the matter to police, branded the display "disgraceful".
"The Frazer, Black and Carroll families and the families of the Narrow Water victims have suffered greatly at the evil hands of republican terrorism and it is completely unacceptable that they should have to tolerate this despicable behaviour," he said.
DUP leader Arlene Foster described the displays as "sick".
"My heart goes out to the families who are impacted by this tower of hate. Those who built it evidently have a lot of bitterness and hatred in their hearts," she tweeted.
"It stands in contrast to the dignity and grace of the innocent victims who today sit with empty chairs."
Victims group the South East Fermanagh Foundation said the bonfire "highlights intransigence, bigotry and lack of intelligence".
