Write a comment
Mournes Councillor, Cllr Henry Reilly has said he is concerned that the district could face an influx of foreign nationals following sweeping changes to immigration law in the Republic of Ireland.is calling on UK Border Force to step up patrols along the border in response.
From 12 June, the Republic of Ireland has updated its immigration laws to align with the European Union's migration pact, which transfers responsibility for immigration policy to Brussels. Cllr Reilly, who represents the Mournes area, says the changes could have serious knock-on effects for Newry, Mourne and Down.
He has expressed particular concern that foreign nationals currently resident in the Republic who face deportation under the new regime may move north. Cllr Reilly said: "I am very concerned that many illegals now resident in RoI will be displaced to Northern Ireland and especially to Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area as Sinn Fein/SDLP/Alliance recently voted through plans to designate the Council District as a sanctuary region for refugees and asylum seekers."
He added: "I am concerned that as the Irish Government establishes accelerated processing and return hubs to comply with EU dictates the Newry, Mourne and Down district could be swamped with foreign nationals who would become eligible for deportation from the Republic which is something we simply could not cope with as our public services are already at breaking point and unable to cope with present demands."
Cllr Reilly is calling for an immediate response from the UK Border Force, stating: "I am calling on the UK Border Force to prepare and initiate rigorous border patrols with stop and search and any person not in possession of a Standard visitor visa or UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) arrested and detained in a holding area until deportation can be arranged."
He concluded: "We simply cannot allow the Newry, Mourne and Down District and indeed Northern Ireland to develop as an escape hatch for illegals who are no longer eligible to remain in the RoI."
