Community called to protest ‘Brexit chaos’
Thomas Lyons
The lack of clarity about the fallout of the UK’s withdrawal for Europe is going to have a huge impact on border regions, a local action group is suggesting.
Declan Fearon of Border Communities Against Brexit is calling on people to mobilise to make their feelings about the economic repercussions of the withdrawal: “We have organised a people’s demonstration against Brexit and a hard border, at various points along the border. It takes place on Saturday, March 30 at 3pm, the day following the original British EU withdrawal date.”
There will be protests held at six locations along the border, with two convenient to Co Cavan, Aghalane and Belcoo. The Aghalane protest will be addressed by Fr Joe McVeigh BCAB, Chris McCaffrey Our Future Our Choice, and Peter Quinn business man and former GAA President.
The Belcoo event will be addressed by John Sheridan BCAB, Dr Carroll O'Dolan who will speak on cross border health implications and Berita O'Dolan, who will speak on citizens' rights.
Chaos
Mr Fearon said the political plans in place are shambolic: “The Brexit chaos at Westminster continues with MP’s simply jockeying for position in a race to become the next Prime Minister, while at the same time seeking to prevent a split in the Tory party which is the Governments number one priority.
“While business here and individuals are fed up and weary with Brexit the costs in terms of planning, stockpiling, acquiring new property in another EU member state or licensing is costing tens of millions of pounds,” he said.
Border Communities Against Brexit are worried about what will happen after withdrawal. “Brexit threatens to re-impose a hard border in Ireland. This would be devastating to the economy, industry and jobs, to farming, to the free movement of people crossing the border every day to work, study or trade,” Mr Fearon suggested.
Brexit breakfast
Meanwhile sitting Fianna Fáil councillor for the Ballyjamesduff Electoral Area, Shane P O’Reilly is hosting a Brexit Breakfast on Friday, April 5.
The Mullagh councillor’s event will have addresses to the meeting by former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Fianna Fáil European election candidates and sitting TD Brendan Smith. Cllr O’Reilly’s talk will be held in the Lakeside Manor Hotel, Dublin Road, Virginia.
Now all eyes turn to London as Theresa May hopes to bring her Brexit deal back to parliament for a third meaningful vote this week. Leading Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg said he was reluctantly considering supporting it, but at the moment the DUP are suggesting they will not change position. The prime minister had a long discussion at cabinet on Tuesday morning about how to respond to parliament’s vote to seize control of the parliamentary timetable with the government’s focus on trying to find a majority for the deal.