Ulster Unionist leader Doug Beattie has branded effigies of Michelle O’Neill, Mary Lou McDonald and Naomi Long on a bonfire as “despicable images” that harm unionism.
inn Féin said a hate crime had been committed and there was an urgent need for bonfire rules.
Ms Long said photos of the Eleventh Night Glenfield fire in Carrickfergus had left her feeling physically sick.
DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson condemned the display and the Northern Ireland office said it was “unacceptable”. The PSNI has said it is investigating the incident.
Mr Beattie said: “You can’t agree politically with a person or a party, but to put their image on a bonfire is terrible.
“It is a shameful, despicable act that can also cause pain to those who have lost loved ones to suicide. I’m just appalled at what happened.
“I don’t know what the people behind it were thinking. What went through their minds when they placed these effigies on the bonfire?”
Mr Beattie added: “These acts not only help trade unionism and union culture, but have the opposite effect: they damage it.
“Putting effigies on bonfires does not represent the union and union culture I believe in. Silence cannot be an option. There are bonfires where flags, posters and effigies are not burned. This should become the norm.”
Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly said: “Burning of flags, posters and effigies including the first elected minister Michelle O’Neillparty leader Mary Lou McDonald and other political figures about bonfires is wrong, deeply offensive and a hate crime.
Sinn Féin has reported a number of hate crimes to the PSNI related to bonfires.
“It is the responsibility of union and community leaders to stand up to these displays of sectarian hatred and make it clear that there is no place for them in this society.
“The silence of some senior union leaders so far has been deafening.”
Kelly said the incident highlighted the need to protect rules around bonfires.
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood tweeted that the effigies were “absolutely disgusting” and expressed his solidarity with the female politicians.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar also condemned those who burned the effigies.
“I think it’s terrible, it’s unacceptable… one of the things that is being done is the burning of, you know, election posters of different parties, Alliance, Sinn Féin, SDLP and others, the tricolor, even the Palestinian flag, think I just that’s wrong,” he told Newstalk radio.
“I think it’s absolutely right that people who are part of the Orange culture in our country should be proud of that… I respect people’s right to celebrate their culture and the Orange culture is part of that, but you don’t have to offend others people in the process.”
The bonfire with an effigy of Michelle O’Neill
An NIO spokesperson said: “This behavior was unacceptable. Everyone has the right to celebrate their culture, but they must do so in a respectful, safe, lawful and responsible manner.”
Jeffrey Donaldson said: “While the overwhelming number of Twelfth celebrations have been wildly successful, some events require more work and other displays should be condemned outright as wrong.
“Throughout my life, I have had the privilege of celebrating my identity and educating others about my identity around the world.
“Nowhere are burning posters, flags or photos of serving politicians included as part of them, nor are there any slogans or displays advocating sectarian violence against anyone in this society, regardless of their political position or religious views.
“I was also shocked to learn that the Twelfth awards were destroyed in Co Tyrone and other hate crimes against the Loyal Orders to be investigated across the province.
“We have a rich Ulster-British cultural identity. I want people to focus on celebrating and displaying our culture rather than denigrating others.
“When Republican terrorists ran a hate campaign against people of my faith, I condemned and stood against it. If anyone tries to incite hatred, I will cry out and act squarely against it.
“All politicians in Northern Ireland must be consistent in their condemnation of hate.”
The bonfire with an effigy of Mary Lou McDonald
Ms Long tweeted: “I am not sharing the images because of the risk of families who have lost loved ones to suicide being put in trouble and being critically ill.
“However, I will share them with the police and the photos of the bonfire builders standing proudly in front of their creations. These were not last minute additions. There are photos of a ‘fun day’ for children by this fire with our effigies hanging from it and some local businesses even sponsored it.
“What kind of parent would see that and think it’s acceptable for their child to see?
“I felt physically sick of those photos — not just the effigies, but the festering hatred and sectarianism they represent; hatred that not only perpetuates in our community, but is passed on to the next generation as normal. This has to be done.” stop. Our children deserve better.”
The Alliance’s deputy leader, Stephen Farry, labeled the effigies “absolutely disgusting.”
He said: “Solidarity with Naomi and all others who are threatened and abused on bonfires.”