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Should people who voted for Brexit be allowed to apply for an Irish Passport?

306 replies

Berlinlover · 18/11/2025 18:47

I have two cousins who were born and raised in England who have an Irish father and an English mother. Both my cousins voted for Brexit and are now applying for Irish passports. I’m Irish and living in Ireland and this makes me absolutely furious. They are both women in their 50s who never wanted an Irish passport until now. They have no interest whatsoever in Irish history and anything related to Ireland. They’re not even embarrassed that they voted for Brexit and see an Irish passport as a way of skipping queues at the airport. It seems so unfair on those who voted to remain but don’t have an Irish parent/grandparent so can’t apply for an Irish passport.

OP posts:
TooBigForMyBoots · 18/11/2025 19:32

MissyB1 · 18/11/2025 19:19

Nooo! Bloody hell Ireland should never let him in!

He used it to move to Spain.

allmycats · 18/11/2025 19:32

Hypocrites and total shits. It should be called out at any opportunity especially in public and at any large gatherings.
They deny their own offspring the rights that they want for themselves.

Abhannmor · 18/11/2025 19:31

Berlinlover · 18/11/2025 18:47

I have two cousins who were born and raised in England who have an Irish father and an English mother. Both my cousins voted for Brexit and are now applying for Irish passports. I’m Irish and living in Ireland and this makes me absolutely furious. They are both women in their 50s who never wanted an Irish passport until now. They have no interest whatsoever in Irish history and anything related to Ireland. They’re not even embarrassed that they voted for Brexit and see an Irish passport as a way of skipping queues at the airport. It seems so unfair on those who voted to remain but don’t have an Irish parent/grandparent so can’t apply for an Irish passport.

It is even unfair on those who voted for Brexit but have no EU heritage , Irish or otherwise. I have two family members who have done this. Both very vocal about voting Leave and both acquiring Irish passports after the implications sunk in. Nauseating.

But no , rules is rules. You can't base citizenship on someone's politics. Leave that stuff to Trump.

Millytante · 18/11/2025 19:28

Soonenough · 18/11/2025 19:16

How could you prove anything though ? Irish passport is one of tge most desirable in the world . My UK cousins were falling over themselves to get grandparents documents to apply for passports . The old granny clause is why we have so many Premier League footballers playing for Ireland 🇮🇪.

Or for England when they've dual citizenship of course! Much-Snarling-In-The-Marsh when ‘our’ lads are on the other team.
Imagine if Bellingham (Irish passport via father) gets any more friction with Tuchel….🙏🏻

YorkshireGoldDrinker · 18/11/2025 19:28

CraftyGin · 18/11/2025 18:51

If they are eligible, it's none of your business. Simmer down.

Well exactly.

We live in a democracy, do we not? Until you do something totally lawful and someone else disapproves, then suddenly it makes the blood boil.

Bambamhoohoo · 18/11/2025 19:26

Well you can’t have one law for people with one political belief and a different law for other beliefs- Ireland is a democracy so wouldn't discriminate on this basis, no.

hanahsaunt · 18/11/2025 19:24

My NI PILs did just this. In fact, they applied the day after they voted for Brexit. Staunchly British but like the travel options. I pointed out the hypocrisy. The reply - we are entitled. There could not be a more apt word. I am still appalled.

MotherofPearl · 18/11/2025 19:21

YANBU OP. Absolute cheek.

MissyB1 · 18/11/2025 19:19

TooBigForMyBoots · 18/11/2025 18:59

Tommy Robinson, racist cunt, did it.Angry

Nooo! Bloody hell Ireland should never let him in!

Soonenough · 18/11/2025 19:16

How could you prove anything though ? Irish passport is one of tge most desirable in the world . My UK cousins were falling over themselves to get grandparents documents to apply for passports . The old granny clause is why we have so many Premier League footballers playing for Ireland 🇮🇪.

SugarPlumpFairyCakes · 18/11/2025 19:12

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Millytante · 18/11/2025 19:10

There's nothing to be done, but you can still register your great displeasure the next time you see her 😈
(Shame ancestry citizenship doesn't involve the same oath sworn by naturalised citizens)

BTW I get the impression the DFA is starting to reconsider the ‘One grandparent born on this island’ requirement.
The circs which made that reasonable no longer apply, and its generosity/elasticity was certainly exploited by many with no intention of ever acknowledging Ireland in their lives, after Brexit.
I’d imagine it'll be tightened up and at least that particular access to an Irish passport will be removed.

dazzlingdeborahrose · 18/11/2025 19:09

It’s annoying but if they have an Irish parent born on the island of Ireland they’re already Irish citizens and entitled to an Irish passport. Feel free to point out their hypocrisy though.

yorkshiretoffee · 18/11/2025 19:04

Friend of DH, a vocal brexit supporter asked me to sign for his Irish passport.
I refused!
I know quite a few brexiteers who have done this. Most have an Irish grandparent and are doing for ease of holidays rather than any brexit regret. It makes my blood boil.
Most brexiteers I know have no way out, and that does make me happy.

bignewprinz · 18/11/2025 19:03

People who voted for Brexit should be drop-kicked into the bloody sea.

Irish sea seems fitting for these two.

belleager · 18/11/2025 19:02

Of course they should. Republics regulate their own citizenship.

I get that it's annoying if you wanted to remain and they didn't, and I accept that most are probably doing it for the EU passport, but ultimately Britain needs to work out how to cope with Brexit without making it anyone else's problem.

Harveysabrina · 18/11/2025 19:01

Yes, we don’t want political opinions to be part of an eligibility process, that’s a grim path to go down. They’re hypocrites but it is what it is.

QueenClinomania · 18/11/2025 19:00

Bloody nerve of them!!
Sadly if they're entitled, they're entitled. But if it was me id never shut the fuck up about their hypocrisy

Berlinlover · 18/11/2025 18:59

soupyspoon · 18/11/2025 18:57

Voting is anonymous.

I realise that but they’re happy to tell anyone who’ll listen that they voted for Brexit which makes it all the more infuriating!

OP posts:
MissyB1 · 18/11/2025 18:59

Shame them! Call them out on it to their faces! I’ve just got my Irish passport, but I voted remain and I’m very much in touch with all my Irish cousins (all our parents are dead now sadly). I’m going over to visit them all next year, can’t wait.

TooBigForMyBoots · 18/11/2025 18:59

Tommy Robinson, racist cunt, did it.Angry

Prokovopera · 18/11/2025 18:58

My brother in law did this. He’s not even slightly embarrassed about it.

GhoulWithADragonTattoo · 18/11/2025 18:58

If they Northern Ireland then I can definitely understand it. Elsewhere in the UK I can understand your point.

soupyspoon · 18/11/2025 18:57

Voting is anonymous.

RoamingToaster · 18/11/2025 18:56

It’s annoying and they should be embarrassed but what can you do?

I have Irish heritage but unfortunately it goes back further than grandparents otherwise I’d do the same although in my case I didn’t vote for Brexit.