North support for staying in EU jumps from 56% to 69%

THE North would vote strongly to remain in the European Union if there were another Brexit poll, a study has found.

A total of 69% would favour Remain if there were another referendum, compared to just 56% at the two years ago, the UK governmentfunded Economic and Social Research Council has found.

It found that support for a united Ireland among Catholics would rise sharply if there were to be a hard Brexit. One in five Catholics found the possible use of cameras at the border ‘almost impossible to accept’ and 9% of Catholics would support cameras being vandalised.

Their views echo comments by former taoiseach Bertie Ahern, who said locals along the border would tear down any such infrastructure ‘with their bare hands’.

Brendan O’Leary, professor of political science at the University of Pennsylvania, who oversaw the research, said: ‘The proportion wanting to remain has risen since the 2016 referendum as more people have become aware of the possible costs and inconveniences of leaving.’

The survey found that 28% of Catholics would vote for a united Ireland if the UK were to remain in the EU but that 53% would back Irish unity in the event of a hard Brexit.

It also found that there were strong expectations of violent protests if border checks were introduced.