ANTI-BREXIT protests have taken place along the Irish Border to mark the UK’s departure from the European Union.
Protestors turned out across six different locations in the counties of Louth, Cavan, Donegal, Fermanagh, Monaghan and Donegal this past Friday, January 31.
The demonstration was organised by the Border Communities Against Brexit group and Sinn Fein to mark the end to almost half a century of integration.
Campaigners are calling for Northern Ireland to retain a voice in the EU after the UK’s departure and have urged the Irish Government and Stormont Executive to push for continued representation in the EU.
Campaigner Declan Fearon told the Belfast Telegraph: “We are entitled to be represented in Europe, we are still part of the single market, we should have that representation at the table, even in an advisory role.
“We have actually spoken to Mr Verhofstadt (former Brexit co-ordinator for the European Parliament Guy Verhofstadt) and members of the European Union on that issue and he said they had absolutely no problem whatsoever in allowing that to happen.
“It’s up to the Irish Government especially and indeed to the new Executive at Stormont to make sure that they push for that to happen.”
Activists hold up a placard during a protest organised by Border Communities Against Brexit on January 31, 2020, on the border at Carrickarnon, Northern Ireland, the border between Newry in Northern Ireland and Dundalk in the Irish Republic. (Photo by PAUL FAITH/AFP via Getty Images)Mr Fearon also expressed concern that those living in Northern Ireland would be “poorer” as a result of Brexit and that their children would be denied the opportunities available to young people living in Ireland.
“We are concerned for the people who live here and the difference there will be in the rights people will have from 50 yards on the other side of the border to where we stand now,” he said.
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