Northern Ireland

Anti-Brexit campaigners march on Stormont amid concerns of 'hard' Irish border

Anti-Brexit campaigners march on Stormont. Picture by Hugh Russell
Anti-Brexit campaigners march on Stormont. Picture by Hugh Russell Anti-Brexit campaigners march on Stormont. Picture by Hugh Russell

ANTI-Brexit campaigners have marched on Stormont to voice concerns about free movement across the border.

The demonstration included mock customs checkpoints to highlight fears they will be set up after the UK leaves the EU.

Hundreds of protesters chanted "no borders, no barriers, no Brexit" as they made their way to the steps of Parliament Buildings yesterday.

While Sinn Féin and the SDLP joined the picket, elsewhere unionists welcomed the triggering of article 50.

The majority of voters in Northern Ireland backed Remain - 56 per cent to 44 per cent.

Declan Fearon, from Border Communities Against Brexit which organised the march, told the crowds British Prime Minister Theresa May was not interested in their concerns.

"It seems she simply doesn't care, maybe doesn't know what the full implications are for the people who live along the border," he claimed.

He added: "It is not acceptable that we are being squeezed between two enormous political forces in the British government and the European Union with large macro economies while we are located on the edge of Europe faced with the prospect of our borders being closed and having to pay tariffs on our goods with inevitable long delays on our border crossings."

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Earlier, Sinn Féin said its campaign to secure special designated status for Northern Ireland post-Brexit was building momentum across Europe.

The party's northern leader Michelle O'Neill, who attended the protest, insisted special status was essential.

"Brexit would be a disaster for Ireland, socially, politically and economically," said Mrs O'Neill.

"It is unacceptable that Tories, who have no mandate in Ireland, can impose Brexit and a border against our will."

She added: "Clearly we need special status - we are building momentum and that argument is resonating across Europe."

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood, who also participated in the demonstration, said triggering Article 50 when Northern Ireland had no power-sharing executive in place was an act of "democratic savagery".

"The British government's Brexit juggernaut is about to smash through the fragile complexities of Irish politics," he said.

DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds struck a very different tone during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons.

"The Prime Minister has rightly been emphasising her determination to deliver for all constituent parts of the United Kingdom on this historic day," he said.

"And whilst others are content to moan and whine we want to see that delivery happen and we are confident she will make that happen."

The Ulster Unionists campaigned for Remain but, since the result, the party has voiced support for Brexit.

UUP MP Danny Kinahan congratulated Mrs May for triggering Article 50 - the formal process by which the UK leaves the EU.

"And while I, like herself, campaigned to stay in, we recognise that the people have spoken and we offer, the Ulster Unionist Party, full support in ensuring that negotiations deliver the best for the whole of the United Kingdom and particularly for Northern Ireland," he said.