Northern Ireland

Customs officers return to Irish Sea checks

A sign on the main road on the approach to the port town of Larne port in Co Antrim
A sign on the main road on the approach to the port town of Larne port in Co Antrim A sign on the main road on the approach to the port town of Larne port in Co Antrim

STAFF from the north's agriculture department have returned to their posts conducting post-Brexit trade checks.

Inspections of animal-based food produce arriving at Belfast and Larne ports had been suspended amid concerns for the safety of staff.

One police car was parked outside the facility in Belfast Harbour.

One lorry arrived at around 1:45pm on a sailing from Cairnryan and was met by a Border Force officer.

Graffiti expressing opposition to a so-called Irish Sea border had appeared in the Larne area in Co Antrim.

Former Stormont agriculture minister Edwin Poots ordered the withdrawal of staff carrying out checks shortly before stepping down from the role to receive medical treatment.

His successor Gordon Lyons maintained the position.

The PSNI has since said there was no evidence of "credible threats".

Sinn Féin and the DUP are at loggerheads over whether the withdrawal of staff was justified.

Mid and East Antrim Alliance councillor Danny Donnelly said there had been "conflicting statements" in the aftermath of the withdrawal of port staff by the council and Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

"I was surprised to hear a few days later the PSNI saying there was no credible threat," he told the BBC.

He said councillors feel they were not given enough information before the decision to withdraw the staff was made.

Alan Law from the union Nipsa said his colleagues have also been seeking answers.

"People need to be safe at their work and need to feel safe at their work... but we also need to know exactly what information these decisions were based on and those questions are still not being answered," he said.

Graffiti in Larne protesting against the Irish Sea border
Graffiti in Larne protesting against the Irish Sea border Graffiti in Larne protesting against the Irish Sea border
Trucks leaving Larne Port. The DUP has rejected claims it is whipping up tensions over Irish Sea trade in an effort to get Brexit's contentious Northern Ireland Protocol ditched. Physical inspections on goods entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain, which are required under the protocol, have been suspended amid threats and intimidation of staff. Picture date: Wednesday February 3, 2021. PA Photo. See PA story POLITICS Brexit. Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/PA Wire.
Trucks leaving Larne Port. The DUP has rejected claims it is whipping up tensions over Irish Sea trade in an effort to get Brexit's contentious Northern Ireland Protocol ditched. Physical inspections on goods entering Northern Ireland from Great Brita Trucks leaving Larne Port. The DUP has rejected claims it is whipping up tensions over Irish Sea trade in an effort to get Brexit's contentious Northern Ireland Protocol ditched. Physical inspections on goods entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain, which are required under the protocol, have been suspended amid threats and intimidation of staff. Picture date: Wednesday February 3, 2021. PA Photo. See PA story POLITICS Brexit. Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/PA Wire.
PACEMAKER, BELFAST, 10/2/2021:  Grafitti in the port town of Larne port in Co. Antrim protesting against the Irish Sea border imposed by Brexit..PICTURE BY STEPHEN DAVISON.
PACEMAKER, BELFAST, 10/2/2021: Grafitti in the port town of Larne port in Co. Antrim protesting against the Irish Sea border imposed by Brexit..PICTURE BY STEPHEN DAVISON. PACEMAKER, BELFAST, 10/2/2021: Grafitti in the port town of Larne port in Co. Antrim protesting against the Irish Sea border imposed by Brexit..PICTURE BY STEPHEN DAVISON.
PIXELLATION BY PA PICTURE DESK..Police on duty at the Department of Agricultural, Environment and Rural Affairs facility on Duncrue Street near Belfast Harbour, as post-Brexit checks at all Northern Ireland's ports resume. Inspections of animal-based food produce arriving at Belfast and Larne ports were suspended amid concerns over the safety of staff. Picture date: Wednesday February 10, 2021. PA Photo. See PA story POLITICS Brexit. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire.
PIXELLATION BY PA PICTURE DESK..Police on duty at the Department of Agricultural, Environment and Rural Affairs facility on Duncrue Street near Belfast Harbour, as post-Brexit checks at all Northern Ireland's ports resume. Inspections of animal-based PIXELLATION BY PA PICTURE DESK..Police on duty at the Department of Agricultural, Environment and Rural Affairs facility on Duncrue Street near Belfast Harbour, as post-Brexit checks at all Northern Ireland's ports resume. Inspections of animal-based food produce arriving at Belfast and Larne ports were suspended amid concerns over the safety of staff. Picture date: Wednesday February 10, 2021. PA Photo. See PA story POLITICS Brexit. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire.