James McClean is among the many prominent nationalists who have signed an open letter to Leo Varadkar over their Brexit concerns.
Published today in a two-page spread in Irish News, the letter is similar to others that have been sent in the last 12 months — demanding that Taoiseach Leo Varadkar represent their concerns as Brexit poses more and more problems.
As time goes on, the chances of a no-deal Brexit only become more likely — an outcome that would result in a hard border between the Republic of Ireland and the north, adversely impacting hundreds of thousands of people on either side of the divide.
“The British Conservative government has rendered itself unable to effect any progress on these rights issues due to its dependence on the DUP,” the letter reads.
Signed by several other prominent members of the Northern community — including Adrian Dunbar, Ciaran McMenamin and Jim Sheridan — it goes on to say that “Brexit threatens to deepen the rights crisis and there is a real danger of serious erosion of current guarantees.”
The letter highlights specific concerns around issues like cross-border healthcare and education, should the UK be unable or unwilling to strike a deal.
The group has stipulated that their letter is not a petition, but simply a representation of the concerns of many people in the north.
McClean himself has been at the heart of controversy this week as he often is during November, owing to his stand against wearing the poppy on his jersey.
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