Moygashel

One of the bombers killed in the Miami Showband massacre, Wesley Somerville—who was an Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) and Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) member, and member of the Glennane gang—was from Moygashel. He is commemorated by a plaque and banner in the village. In 2017, a spokesperson from the Moygashel Residents' Association was quoted as saying, "We are a Protestant village, he is part of the culture of the village. He is not a terrorist; he never was a terrorist as far as this village is concerned and that is not glorifying anything." In April 2025, a Loyalist parade in Somerville's honour through Moygashel attracted hundreds of supporters and thirty bands. ==2025 bonfire controversy==

A Loyalist bonfire with effigies of refugees in a boat drew widespread criticism. There are more than a dozen life-sized effigies in the boat, wearing lifejackets. Mike Nesbitt, leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, described it as "deplorable" and "sickening" and said "entirely out of step with what is supposed to be a cultural celebration". He also said "I condemn it without reservation and urge those responsible to remove it forthwith". The Democratic Unionist Party said "placing of flags, effigies or other items on bonfires is not part of that tradition and should not take place". Support Moygashel Bonfire Committee denied that the bonfire was "racist, threatening or offensive", claiming it was a protest against illegal immigration. Jamie Bryson claimed it was a form of "artistic protest". == References ==