DUP MP: Garda’s new fines for crossing into the Republic are ‘awkward for no hard border brigade’

Today the Garda announced that people living in Northern Ireland who cross the border without a reasonable excuse will face a fine of 100 euro from next week, the Garda has said. The new measures will apply to anyone who is “not ordinarily resident” in the Republic.

Gardai said they will come into the effect at 7am on Monday.

But the DUP said the move undermined long standing arguments against “a hard border” by the Republic since the Brexit vote.

East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson said: “This is a bit awkward for Simon Coveney and the ‘no hard border’ sledgehammer brigade.  Seems like the Republic of Ireland government is taking a decent go at hardening the existing international border between their country and Northern Ireland.

“It would seem the Republic can enforce a north-south border when it suits, which once again blows apart their arguments about the NI Protocol and it also demonstrates how hollow their antics have been for the last four years.  

“The Irish position was never about the Belfast Agreement or peace. It was entirely self-serving. The border deniers will have been left scratching their heads on this one.”

The Garda said that if enforcement is required a fixed payment notice for 100 euro will be issued to each person who is in breach of the regulation.

For example, if a gardai stops a car with a driver and two passengers then each of the three adults will receive a fine of 100 euro.

The new rules mean the Garda can turn back day trippers from Northern Ireland who cross the border.

Under Ireland’s current Covid-19 public health restrictions, travel is restricted to within five kilometres of a person’s home except for essential reasons.

The Irish government and Garda have been invited to comment.

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