Protestors told hard border will never be accepted again

Several hundred people turned up at Carrickarnon yesterday to hear a Border Communities against Brexit spokesperson say “we will never, ever accept a Hard Border on this Island NEVER, EVER again."

The protest put on in several border areas at 3pm yesterday saw speakers demand that Article 16 of the NI Protocol should not be triggered by the British Government

A spokesman said "Unfortunately, bad news sells newspapers, and we are utterly fed up for months listening to daily negativity about the Protocol. We are here today to stand up for the Protocol, to say to the British Gov implement what you have agreed.

"To the EU, we say yes, be flexible, come up with workable solutions, and if the UK Gov triggers Art 16, then you must stand together, solidly, shoulder to shoulder with Ireland, and especially with those of us living in Border Communities."

They continued "The UK must fully understand that triggering Art 16 is a huge act of bad faith, and a total disregard for the Good Friday Agreement. We have a guarantee; a guarantee of NO Hard Border, this is the guarantee of the Protocol, which we in BCAB spent almost 5 years campaigning for, we all gathered here on this spot 5 years ago in October 2016!! Nothing less than a guarantee of No Hard Border will ever be acceptable to us!"

The spokesman  concluded "We have seen a 61% increase in trade North / South, and a 47% increase in trade South / North.

"Business are moving from South to North because of the Protocol, business are expanding such as Almac with over 1,000 jobs, while Coca Cola’s packaging partner just announced a £200 new million factory in Belfast.

"Remember our simple message BACK OFF BORIS, DO NOT TRIGGER ARTICLE 16!!!"