How Will Brexit Affect Northern Ireland? Passionate Twitter Thread Explains The Conundrum

'I remember checkpoints as a kid. I remember machine guns and dogs.'

There has been much debate about how the UK's decision to leave the European Union will affect issues ranging from the impact on the economy to Scotland's push for independence.

But one man has explained on Twitter how he felt the Leave vote has opened a can of worms for Northern Ireland.

Seamas O'Reilly said that Brexiteers had not properly considered how leaving the EU would affect Northern Ireland.

O’Reilly, who is from Derry but now lives in London, pointed out that Northern Ireland was the only country in Britain with an immediate EU border.

He continues:

O'Reilly explained that the psychological effects on a country which is still living with the legacy of The Troubles would also be serious...

He said that for him, the memories of a time of unrest in Northern Ireland were still vivid...

O'Reilly explained that the idea of being physically cut off from the Republic of Ireland was distressing for many people...

He went on to clarify that people in Northern Ireland are in fact able to vote for the Conservatives but that they were deeply unpopular.

His initial tweet, linking to the rest of his explanation, has attracted a huge amount of attention, being retweeted and liked more than 2,000 times.

Irish comedian Dara Ó Briain retweeted it, commenting:

O'Reilly's comments come as Sinn Fein MEP Martina Anderson laid into the prospect of Brexit while speaking at the European Parliament.

She said if English votes "drag us out of the EU that would be like Britannia waves the rules", according to ITV.

She said: "We accept, we respect and we will defend the wishes of the people of the north of Ireland.

"However if English votes drag us out of the EU, that would be like Britannia waves the rules.

"There was a democratic vote, we voted to remain. I tell you, that the last thing the people of Ireland need is an EU border with 27 member states stopped right in the middle of it."

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