Jump directly to the content
Pictured
BREXIT PROTEST

Anti-Brexit campaigners slow down traffic in Ireland to highlight fears over possible border checkpoints

A convoy of protesters staged the noisy protest using lorries and tractors to highlight the impact of predicted custom checks

ANTI-BREXIT campaigners brought traffic to a crawl on a main road between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to highlight fears of possible custom border checks.

A convoy of protesters staged a noisy motorway go-slow near Dundalk in Co Louth using lorries and tractors to highlight the impact of predicted custom checks.

Seamus McDonnell dressed as old style customs officials stops a vehicle at the mock customs post in Ireland
5
Seamus McDonnell dressed as old style customs officials stops a vehicle at the mock customs post in IrelandCredit: Press Eye
Anti-Brexit campaigners brought traffic to a crawl on a main road between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland
5
Anti-Brexit campaigners brought traffic to a crawl on a main road between Northern Ireland and the Republic of IrelandCredit: Press Eye
The group held a white line picket and had members dressed in old style customs officials uniforms stopping cars beside the motorway
5
The group held a white line picket and had members dressed in old style customs officials uniforms stopping cars beside the motorwayCredit: PA:Press Association

Contingency work has begun to identify where checkpoints could be set up once again, in preparation for the UK leaving the EU, the Irish Government said.

Opponents of a hard Brexit have argued it could undermine peace process measures which helped transform a militarised zone pockmarked by the Troubles and overlooked by Army watchtowers and barriers into an invisible boundary.

While minor roads were once cratered and closed to control north/south traffic - and combat a thriving black market and IRA movement - since the end of the conflict people and goods have passed largely unimpeded between the neighbours on what would be the UK's only land border with Europe.

A convoy of protesters staged a noisy motorway go-slowusing lorries and tractors to highlight the impact of predicted custom checks on the local economy
5
A convoy of protesters staged a noisy motorway go-slowusing lorries and tractors to highlight the impact of predicted custom checks on the local economyCredit: PA:Press Association
Contingency work has begun to identify where checkpoints could be set up once again, in preparation for the UK leaving the EU, the Irish Government said
5
Contingency work has begun to identify where checkpoints could be set up once again, in preparation for the UK leaving the EU, the Irish Government saidCredit: PA:Press Association

A trailer-load of sheep going to market and passport-toting residents took part in a theatrical "checkpoint" staged to highlight the detrimental impact of any such border on Saturday.

A rusty Second World War-era bicycle placed alongside a mock customs hut reinforced the message that a hard border was a return to the past which Prime Minister Theresa May has been adamant she wants to avoid.

Kitchen maker and demonstration organiser for Border Communities Against Brexit, Declan Fearon, said: "We are really in the eye of the storm of Brexit and we intend to make sure that this does not happen.

"We never want to see this community going back to what it was before."

Mock border officers from the UK and Ireland wearing traditional greatcoats waved down traffic in front of a stage customs hut.

Horns blared, truck drivers in the queue pretended to pull their hair out and waved pieces of paper supposed to be travel documents.

Lines of people with placards had gathered and vintage signs proclaimed "Stop: Customs";.

Mr Fearon added: "The people here do not want to contemplate the reinstatement of spikes and roads being closed and of customs checkpoints and it looks like that is where we are going."

RELATED STORIES

Bosses urge Philip Hammond to deliver post-Brexit boost and cut air passenger duty
axe travel tax

Bosses urge Philip Hammond to deliver post-Brexit boost and cut air passenger duty

Tony Blair’s tragic attempt at reinventing himself as Brexit blocker will have reverse effect
THE SUN SAYS

Tony Blair’s tragic attempt at reinventing himself as Brexit blocker will have reverse effect

Tony Blair's taking on the task of reversing last year's Brexit vote... has he gone stark, raving mad?
TREVOR KAVANAGH

Tony Blair's taking on the task of reversing last year's Brexit vote... has he gone stark, raving mad?

Boris rips into Tony Blair after ex-PM says Brexit voters need chance to reverse 'wrong' decision
BLAIR-FACED CHEEK

Boris rips into Tony Blair after ex-PM says Brexit voters need chance to reverse 'wrong' decision

More than 20 years ago there were 270 crossings along the 300-mile long border between Northern Ireland and the Republic.

Mr Fearon said only 17 of them had clearance posts and many others were closed with roads deliberately made impassable and communities split in two.

A church near where he was standing is on one side of the border while its graveyard is on the other.

The Prime Minister has pledged no return to the heavily-secured border of the past.

Mr Fearon said: "It seems as if Theresa May and the British Government have no intention of listening to us.

"They don't seem to have any of our interests here along the border at heart and we want to make sure our voices are heard as far and wide as possible."

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368

 

Topics
YOU MIGHT LIKE
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
MORE FOR YOU