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Protests against Brexit take place in border counties

A series of protests opposing Brexit have taken place in Irish border counties today. The Border ...
Stephen McNeice
Stephen McNeice

15.30 30 Mar 2019


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Protests against Brexit take p...

Protests against Brexit take place in border counties

Stephen McNeice
Stephen McNeice

15.30 30 Mar 2019


Share this article


A series of protests opposing Brexit have taken place in Irish border counties today.

The Border Communities Against Brexit group organised today's demonstrations.

They say they are angry given the continued uncertainty over the UK's exit from the EU.

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The demonstrations have been held at six locations in counties Louth, Fermanagh, Cavan, Monaghan, Tyrone and Donegal.

A smaller protest also took place outside Croke Park in Dublin earlier ahead of a number of GAA matches.

Today's demonstration at Croke Park. Image: Adrian Harmon

Spokesperson for Border Communities Against Brexit, JJ O'Hara, suggested that two decades of cross-community work is at real risk because of Brexit.

Speaking ahead of the protests, he observed: "There's so much good work done over the last 20 years, from the Good Friday communities. So many communities came together, and so many different projects have been developed cross-community and cross-border.

"This is putting [everything] in jeopardy. It's putting the Good Friday in jeopardy."

Sinn Féin was among the groups supporting today's demonstrations, with Councillor Padraig Fallon claiming: "The antics on display at Westminster show clearly the complete disregard the British Government has for Ireland, especially our border communities."

Brexit impasse

Meanwhile, efforts are continuing in the UK to find a way to break the ongoing Brexit impasse in the House of Commons.

(190329) -- LONDON, March 29, 2019 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Theresa May speaks during the debate in the House of Commons in London, Britain, on March 29, 2019. British lawmakers on Friday voted to reject Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal, which has already been rejected twice in Parliament since January. (Xinhua/UK Parliament/Mark Duffy)

MPs again rejected Theresa May's withdrawal agreement yesterday - although it did amount to a full 'meaningful vote' as the political declaration covering the future relationship was not included in the vote.

It's now expected that Monday will see further indicative votes in a bid to discover if there's any alternative that could command a majority in the House.

Eight alternative proposals were rejected by MPs earlier this week.

Two options - one relating to a customs union with the EU, and another for a 'confirmatory' public vote on any deal - gained most support.

UK media today reports that Mrs May's government is continuing to try and win support for the current deal ahead of another potential vote on it.

The deal could potentially be put up against any option supported by a majority in the House of Commons in a 'runoff vote'.

However, as the deadlock continues, the UK continues to face a number of possible outcomes: a no-deal Brexit, a possible long extension to the process (which would require the UK to hold European elections in May), or a general election.

European Council President Donald Tusk has already called an emergency meeting of EU leaders for April 10th - two days before the current deadline for the UK to come forward with an alternative plan.

Main image: Community protest against Brexit at Carrickcarnon, Co. Louth. Photo: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie

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