http://www.sundayworld.com/top-stories/news/gerry-adams-slams-placing-of-effigy-on-loyalist-bonfire

Gerry Adams slams placing of effigy on loyalist bonfire in Antrim.

Gerry Adams has slammed the placing of an effigy of the Sinn Fein leader on a loyalist bonfire in Antrim as disturbing.

Images of the effigy wearing a Celtic football top appeared on the 'Ballycraigy Bonfire' Facebook page.

Mr Adams asked his solicitor to report the case to the PSNI as a hate crime.

"The figure of a lynch victim on a bonfire is not a welcoming sight for anyone," he said.

"This is a disturbing escalation of sectarian and hate crime."

The Facebook post reads: "Gerry adams is always hanging about in ballycraigy"

A number of Irish tri-colours have also been placed on the bonfire with one carrying a sectarian slogan against Catholics.

Posters of Alliance MLA Anna Lo and Sinn Fein MEP Martina Anderson were placed on bonfires.

Meanwhile, thousands of Orange Order members are taking part in traditional July 12 demonstrations across Northern Ireland.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland has deployed 3,500 officers including riot police ahead of 18 parades taking place across Ulster.

Many officers will be deployed in north Belfast where a march has been banned from passing the nationalist Ardoyne area on the way home this evening.

Last year when the march was stopped Orangemen and their supporters attacked police in riots that lasted for several days.