Hate banner replaced day after police removed it
BBCA controversial banner which police removed from a play park in County Tyrone on Friday has been replaced.
The display was initially treated by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) as a hate incident, before becoming the subject of a criminal investigation.
It is understood an identical banner was fastened to a fence at the same location in Moygashel by Saturday morning.
Councillor Malachy Quinn described the banner as depicting "a typical play park picture" on one side and "a visual of bearded men that were obviously meant to be Muslims, behind a barrier" on the other.
The police said they were aware of another banner in Moygashel and were assessing the situation.
Sinn Féin assembly member Colm Gildernew said it was the responsibility of political representatives and community leaders to call out the "racist banner".
"This banner has been re-erected solely to sow division in the community," he said.
He also expressed concern about pictures shared online showing men wearing face coverings beside the banner.
"The reported presence of masked men at a children's park is a sinister development which must also be called out and fully investigated," he added.
"There is no place in our society for racism, it is time to take a stand against division, and to stand up for inclusion and respect."
