THE introduction of a hard border between Derry and Donegal as a result of Brexit would have a devastating effect on border communities, a think tank has said.
The Centre for Cross Border Studies is hosting a discussion in Brussels later to discuss the Brexit vote.
Anthony Soares, the centre’s deputy director, said border controls along the Derry/Donegal border would set communities back decades.
It could small villages hard like Muff on the Derry/Donegal border which receives a trading boost from Northerners.
The border stretches for 330 miles and communities along the border, and not just in Derry and Donegal, could see a downturn in economic growth and development.
Last week Gardai in the Republic mounted an operation targeting non-Irish workers.
This was seen as the first of many Garda operations in the future against those it regards as non Irish nationals crossing the land boundary from the North and into the Republic.
The UK electorate voted in June to leave the EU by 52% to 48% in June’s referendum.
In the North of Ireland, the majority (56%) of those who went to the polls voted to stay in the EU.
Scotland also voted to remain while Wales and England voted for Brexit.
Anthony Soares said some border communities were struggling as it was.
“The introduction of a hard border would really, really undermine the economic development of the border region,” he said.
“Some parts of our border region are already struggling in terms of perhaps being overlooked by central governments, whether it’s in Belfast, London or Dublin, that have other priorities.
“The border region would suffer even more if the hard border was to be reintroduced.”
Protests against Brexit were held at Bridgend and Lifford on Saturday.
They were organised by campaign group Border Communities Against Brexit.
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