My children say I’m hypocritical’: Brexit and the Irish passport rush
British natives who have applied for Irish citizenship reveal their diverse motives
Pressing matter: last year the passport service received 200,000 applications from British-based people. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
‘I never wanted to be part of the German empire’
For some living in Britain today, applying for an Irish passport is an expression of resistance to Brexit or a reawakening of a long-dormant connection to Ireland. For others it is nothing more than a desire to get through airport security more quickly.
Tony Flemming, a Manchester native whose mother came from Athlone, voted to leave the European Union in the 2016 referendum. He applied for Irish citizenship last year.
“I want to go on holiday to Europe, and it would be easier with an Irish passport,” Flemming (73) says. “And the second reason I got it was just to see if I could.
“I will use my Irish passport on the journey out and then switch to my British passport when returning home, so it’s quicker through security.”
Despite being the new owner of a European travel document, Flemming said he “never wanted to be part of the ‘German empire’.”
He added, “I’ve been hoping for Brexit for a long time. I just want to get out and get it sorted.”
His children voted to remain in the EU.
“My children have said I’m hypocritical,” said Flemming. “I think it’s perfectly normal to take advantage of a system if the option is there.”
He was once a regular visitor to Ireland, but the last trip was during the 1966 World Cup. However, his dual citizenship is intended for sunnier travels.
“I like to go to Gibraltar, so my British passport will be fine until I walk over to Spain, and then I’ll use my Irish one.”
Flemming is not alone. Last year the passport service received 200,000 applications from British-based people directly to Dublin or through its office in London – although the largest share are for the children of Irish-born citizens living in Britain.
