The attendance at a public debate on Irish unity held in Strabane is evidence that a poll on the issue is what people living in border areas want, it has been claimed.
Young people formed the world “yes” at “The Tinnies” urging people to vote yes in the upcoming people’s referendum.
A large crowd attended the event in the Fir Trees Hotel which was chaired by well-known political commentator.
Among those who spoke were representatives of Fianna Fail, Sinn Fein, Labour, NI Conservatives, SDLP and NI21.
Speaking after the debate, Grace McDermott, chairperson of the “United Ireland – You Decide” committee in Lifford/Strabane, said the event highlighted the possibility of a “real border poll.”
She said: “While the question of Irish Unity may be abstract to some, for people in communities such as Strabane and Lifford, they are dealing every day with the difficulties and disadvantages of partition.
“A great range of issues were raised at our debate and for two solid hours the discussion continued, passionate at times but never tedious.
“The audience required no prompting to fire sharp, sometimes jagged questions. The experience of participating in the people’s referendum puts the notion of a real border poll firmly into the public consciousness – that is our aim.
“You may agree with it or disagree but it’s hard to avoid thinking about it, for or against.”
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