A loyalist bonfire which was widely condemned after a replica of a mosque was placed on top has been lit before police could remove the display.
The smouldering remains of the bonfire were continuing to burn in the village of Moygashel in Co Tyrone on Friday morning.
A man appeared in court on Friday charged with incitement to hatred.
Political and religious leaders had criticised the placing of the mosque on top of the fire, which had been scheduled to be lit on Friday night, and police had faced calls to act.
Signs saying: “Secure our borders” and: “End the threat of radical Islam” have also been placed on the pyre.
Shortly after midnight, in a social media post, the Moygashel Bonfire Association said: “Due to confirmation of contractors moving in and removing the bonfire, the decision has been made to light it asap.”
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said it had “commenced a significant and complex policing operation to remove a hate display from the Moygashel bonfire”.
It said the operation was at an “advanced stage when the bonfire was lit”.
A spokesperson said: “Had the bonfire not been lit police would have secured the site and removed the offending material and seized it as evidence.
“The Police Service of Northern Ireland’s investigation into this hate motivated crime is ongoing.
Chief Superintendent Norman Haslett said: “Hate crime has no place in our society and will not be tolerated.
“That is why we commenced a proactive policing operation to take action and remove the hate display from Moygashel Bonfire.
“Before police arrival, the bonfire was set alight a day in advance to prevent removal of the criminal material.
“Where there is evidence that offences have been committed, we will take robust action.
“As part of our ongoing investigation, a 56-year-old man has been charged with incitement to hatred.
Brian Conrad Neill, 56, of Hollow Mills, New Mills, Dungannon, was refused bail when he appeared in court on Friday charged with incitement to hatred over the bonfire.
Police were maintaining a low-key presence in the village on Friday morning.
The bonfire site in Moygashel has attracted controversy in previous years.
Last year, there was condemnation after effigies of migrants in a boat were burned on the Moygashel fire.
Eleventh night bonfires will be lit across Northern Ireland on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings ahead of the Orange Order’s July 12 parades on Monday.
While most of the bonfires pass off without incident, several have become the focus of contention due to the placing of flags, effigies and election posters on the structures before they are ignited.
