Write a commentIn what was an outstanding piece of “Street Theatre” the organisers of the Day of Action against Brexit demonstrated in a humorous but thought provoking way, how border controls between Newry and Dundalk could be if a hard border was in place. Over 1000 took part demanding that the 56% remain vote in locally be respected.
A mock border post was set up complete with moving barriers, a guards hut and several cheery ‘Customs Men’ on patrol.
Traffic was stopped as it crossed the frontier with some of the “actors” driving vehicles, one carrying a couple of bewildered looking sheep in a trailer, another a large consignment of round bales as well as various assorted trucks and cars and even the Dundalk Newry bus played a part with the 'Customs' boys boarding.
In fact the aforementioned sheep may just have crossed more than once! - All that was missing was Sean Mone’s famous song The Transit Van blasting on the stereo!
Speakers on the day included economist and Newry Chamber spokesperson Conor Patterson, Dundalk Chamber representative Damien McGennitty, Rosemary McDonnell who spoke on behalf of the voluntary sector, and Matthew McGrenaghan and Paddy Malone representing southern and northern farmers respectively as well as Declan Fearon, protest spokesperson.
In his speech Declan Fearon, Spokesperson for Border Communities against Brexit spoke of the need to ensure that the views of the local community are heard when big decisions are taken in London, Dublin and Brussels.
On the potential of a hard border Mr Fearon said “The prospect of a new EU frontier, stretching from Dundalk to Derry, is not acceptable to those of us living and working in border areas, north or south.
“If Brexit proceeds under the current constitutional arrangements, the border dividing Ireland will become an external border of the EU.
“There is no reassurance for us in hearing both the British and Irish Governments state publicly that they do not wish to see the reintroduction of border controls and customs posts.
“Those in the British Government may tell us they do not want to see a border but just four month ago they travelled the length and breadth of Britain telling people to vote Leave as it would give them tighter control of their borders.“
Mr Fearon added that the fact the Irish Government don’t want a border either won’t make a difference as the decision will not be theirs alone.
“With our border becoming an external border of the EU, it is almost certain that border controls will be reintroduced.
“Every other external borders of the EU has physical and economic controls. Why should we believe that the border dividing Ireland would be any different?”
The Spokesperson talked of the time delays and traffic backlogs crossing the border in the past and said a return to this was not acceptable, with more and more people crossing the border every day for work, study, business or to visit family.
“We remember when this very road we are standing on, the main route between the two biggest cities on the island, had tailbacks for miles. Look at the road behind us now and imagine the inconvenience that would cause to the 40,000 people who cross the border here daily. Imagine the effect that would have on business, on trade, on people travelling to and from work. And we remember the many smaller roads that were closed altogether. Communities cut in two.
“A hard border would bring with it the closure of these small vital local links and would be a throwback to the past.
“A return to this kind of situation is simply not acceptable as more and more of us cross the border every day for work, for study, for business, to visit family and to access services.
“We cannot allow the progress of the last twenty years in breaking down barriers to be thrown away as a result of Brexit.”
Mr Fearon concluded by asking every single elected representative no matter who they represent to actively support the campaign.
