You can leave the European Union if you want Britain, but you’re not taking Donegal and Cavan with you.
Or Monaghan for that matter. And keep your dirty paws off Westmeath, Longford, Dublin and Wicklow too.
If one didn’t know better, one might assume that all of those counties, or at least parts of them, have unexpectedly been caught up in Brexit after looking at the front page of The Guardian this morning.
With Theresa May having last night signed the letter to trigger Article 50, Britain will today begin the process of negotiating its departure from the European Union.
The PM has signed the letter which will trigger Article 50 tomorrow, starting negotiations for the UK to leave the EU. pic.twitter.com/jHerwJs4g9
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) March 28, 2017
There a number of striking newspaper front pages this morning to mark the development, none more so than the front page of The Guardian, where Britain’s exit is symbolised by a number of missing jigsaw pieces on a map of Europe.
Guardian front page, Wednesday 29 March 2017: Britain steps into the unknown pic.twitter.com/UGcrv0sLv4
— The Guardian (@guardian) March 28, 2017
Impressive though it undoubtedly is, the puzzle seems to suggest that parts of Ireland beyond the six counties in the north have suddenly been annexed by Britain and will be leaving the European Union along with them.
Donegal and Cavan appear to have been the worst affected counties, but parts of Sligo, Westmeath, Monaghan, Louth, Dublin, Westmeath and even Wexford haven’t escaped either.
Needless to say, it was an anomaly that didn’t go unnoticed in these parts when pictures of the front page surfaced on Twitter on Tuesday night.
hands off Donegal and give us our six counties back too.
— Pearse Doherty (@PearseDoherty) March 28, 2017
"Britain steps into the unknown" and they're taking Donegal and part of Cavan with them it seems… pic.twitter.com/jvlrqXL6On
— Colin (@colinoconnor) March 28, 2017
A lot of people asking for Donegal and Cavan back. Sure you can give back the rest while you're at it. https://t.co/LB9vLHHL4i
— Eoghan Doherty (@dohertyeoghan) March 28, 2017
Give us back Donegal!!!! pic.twitter.com/MFYrjiA0Qw
— Sam O'Byrne (@samobyrne) March 28, 2017
Also, #monaghout #westmexit #longfordbrexitpun pic.twitter.com/Sz0S167kUo
— Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) March 28, 2017
Jesus. They really are leaving. And by the looks of things, they're taking Donegal and Dundalk with them. #SaveTheTown https://t.co/0G0PnOUOjk
— Richard Chambers (@newschambers) March 28, 2017
Newsflash: Donegal, Leitrim and Cavan are also leaving the European Union, according to The @guardian pic.twitter.com/VnWka8Nrgp
— Ronan McGreevy (@RMcGreevy1301) March 28, 2017
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