Ireland election: Referendum on border ‘inevitable’, says ex-premier after Sinn Fein surge

Thanks to the support of young voters the left-wing republican party looks to have topped the popular vote for the first time in modern history, Jon Stone reports

Newly elected Sinn Fein candidate Chris Andrews is held aloft by supporters (Getty)

A referendum on Irish unification looks “inevitable” within the next decade, a former Taoiseach has said, following electoral success for Sinn Fein in the Republic.

Bertie Ahern, who oversaw the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, said a so-called border poll was probably at least five years away but would happen.

“I think a border poll is inevitable. If you ask me when that is, I think it’s probably five years off at least,” he told the BBC.