How common are border checks on buses and trains Dublin-Belfast (and back)?
I've read stories about buses being stopped on the motorway Dublin-Belfast for immigration checks, and border guards boarding the Dublin-Belfast train for checks.
How often does this actually happen? And is it more common on buses or trains? I assume it is very rare, not least since the motorway was not built with a dedicated sidetrack for vehicles to stop for checks.
customs-and-immigration public-transport ireland common-travel-area northern-ireland
asked Oct 29 '16 at 1:16
CrazydreCrazydre
53k1198232
|
show 1 more comment
I've read stories about buses being stopped on the motorway Dublin-Belfast for immigration checks, and border guards boarding the Dublin-Belfast train for checks.
How often does this actually happen? And is it more common on buses or trains? I assume it is very rare, not least since the motorway was not built with a dedicated sidetrack for vehicles to stop for checks.
customs-and-immigration public-transport ireland common-travel-area northern-ireland
asked Oct 29 '16 at 1:16
CrazydreCrazydre
53k1198232
3
Since the Good Friday agreement, they're indeed very rare. See e.g. this Wikipedia article on border checks.
– tricasse
Oct 29 '16 at 1:52
Did you read the Chief Inspector's report?
– Gayot Fow
Oct 29 '16 at 4:43
@GayotFow No, could you please link it?
– Crazydre
Oct 29 '16 at 5:36
2
Why do you care?
– JonathanReez♦
Oct 29 '16 at 10:15
@JonathanReez I'm going to Belfast for important but risky personal matters, and would prefer to leave my ID card at my Dublin hotel to eliminate the risk of it getting stolen.
– Crazydre
Oct 29 '16 at 17:39
|
show 1 more comment
I've read stories about buses being stopped on the motorway Dublin-Belfast for immigration checks, and border guards boarding the Dublin-Belfast train for checks.
How often does this actually happen? And is it more common on buses or trains? I assume it is very rare, not least since the motorway was not built with a dedicated sidetrack for vehicles to stop for checks.
customs-and-immigration public-transport ireland common-travel-area northern-ireland
asked Oct 29 '16 at 1:16
CrazydreCrazydre
53k1198232
I've read stories about buses being stopped on the motorway Dublin-Belfast for immigration checks, and border guards boarding the Dublin-Belfast train for checks.
How often does this actually happen? And is it more common on buses or trains? I assume it is very rare, not least since the motorway was not built with a dedicated sidetrack for vehicles to stop for checks.
customs-and-immigration public-transport ireland common-travel-area northern-ireland
customs-and-immigration public-transport ireland common-travel-area northern-ireland
asked Oct 29 '16 at 1:16
CrazydreCrazydre
53k1198232
asked Oct 29 '16 at 1:16
CrazydreCrazydre
53k1198232
asked Oct 29 '16 at 1:16
CrazydreCrazydre
53k1198232
asked Oct 29 '16 at 1:16
CrazydreCrazydre
53k1198232
asked Oct 29 '16 at 1:16
CrazydreCrazydre
53k1198232
53k1198232
3
Since the Good Friday agreement, they're indeed very rare. See e.g. this Wikipedia article on border checks.
– tricasse
Oct 29 '16 at 1:52
Did you read the Chief Inspector's report?
– Gayot Fow
Oct 29 '16 at 4:43
@GayotFow No, could you please link it?
– Crazydre
Oct 29 '16 at 5:36
2
Why do you care?
– JonathanReez♦
Oct 29 '16 at 10:15
@JonathanReez I'm going to Belfast for important but risky personal matters, and would prefer to leave my ID card at my Dublin hotel to eliminate the risk of it getting stolen.
– Crazydre
Oct 29 '16 at 17:39
|
show 1 more comment
3
Since the Good Friday agreement, they're indeed very rare. See e.g. this Wikipedia article on border checks.
– tricasse
Oct 29 '16 at 1:52
Did you read the Chief Inspector's report?
– Gayot Fow
Oct 29 '16 at 4:43
@GayotFow No, could you please link it?
– Crazydre
Oct 29 '16 at 5:36
2
Why do you care?
– JonathanReez♦
Oct 29 '16 at 10:15
@JonathanReez I'm going to Belfast for important but risky personal matters, and would prefer to leave my ID card at my Dublin hotel to eliminate the risk of it getting stolen.
– Crazydre
Oct 29 '16 at 17:39
3
3
Since the Good Friday agreement, they're indeed very rare. See e.g. this Wikipedia article on border checks.
– tricasse
Oct 29 '16 at 1:52
Since the Good Friday agreement, they're indeed very rare. See e.g. this Wikipedia article on border checks.
– tricasse
Oct 29 '16 at 1:52
Did you read the Chief Inspector's report?
– Gayot Fow
Oct 29 '16 at 4:43
Did you read the Chief Inspector's report?
– Gayot Fow
Oct 29 '16 at 4:43
@GayotFow No, could you please link it?
– Crazydre
Oct 29 '16 at 5:36
@GayotFow No, could you please link it?
– Crazydre
Oct 29 '16 at 5:36
2
2
Why do you care?
– JonathanReez♦
Oct 29 '16 at 10:15
Why do you care?
– JonathanReez♦
Oct 29 '16 at 10:15
@JonathanReez I'm going to Belfast for important but risky personal matters, and would prefer to leave my ID card at my Dublin hotel to eliminate the risk of it getting stolen.
– Crazydre
Oct 29 '16 at 17:39
@JonathanReez I'm going to Belfast for important but risky personal matters, and would prefer to leave my ID card at my Dublin hotel to eliminate the risk of it getting stolen.
– Crazydre
Oct 29 '16 at 17:39
|
show 1 more comment
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
Monitoring the unregulated land border between the Republic and Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the Belfast unit of the UK Border Force. The unit has a total strength of about 60, but the bulk of it is dedicated to the three primary control points at BFS (and during the summer at LDY).
As far as the land border goes, they prioritise the detection of illicit commodities flowing inward over the detection of illegals. All the rest of the information about their detection operations is closely managed and unavailable (even with Freedom of Information). When they provide evidence to the Home Affairs Committee, anything having to do with detection operations is snipped out.
However, they have given evidence that suggests the largest part of their border operations is in reaction to intelligence received from the field and the largest part of that is normal, every day, 'ordinary mortals' providing tip-offs. We also know that they have a system of about 300+ points where cameras are installed along the land border.
Per the comment from tricasse (to whom thanks) citing the Wiki article, they do not like to impose a large presence on the land border for political reasons. As a counterbalance they have a partnership with the local constabularies where they get alerted to the need for detection staff.
Per my own comment above, you can find the Chief Inspector's report at Inspection of the UK Border Agency in Scotland and Northern Ireland: Border Operations. The Agency replied to this report at The UK Border Agency Response...
Related question: How long before I can re-enter the UK after Youth Mobility?
For your own comment: "I'm going to Belfast for important but risky personal matters, and would prefer to leave my ID card at my Dublin hotel to eliminate the risk of it getting stolen." You are overthinking it, but of course that strategy is lawful and should not present a big problem if you are challenged.
edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:52
Community♦
1
answered Oct 29 '16 at 17:55
Gayot FowGayot Fow
75.5k21199380
Hmm, so the UK Border Force is responsible for checking ROI-bound passengers as well? One would expect the Gardai to do that
– Crazydre
Oct 29 '16 at 18:01
@Crazydre why would you think that?
– Gayot Fow
Oct 29 '16 at 19:15
A better reference for the immigration bit might be Inspection of the UK Border Agency in Scotland and Northern Ireland: Countering Abuse of the Common Travel Area. The impression left is that they spend almost nothing on the land border and instead use most resources to detect immigration offenders on (domestic) flights and ferries between NI and Britain.
– Dennis
Oct 30 '16 at 15:45
add a comment |
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Monitoring the unregulated land border between the Republic and Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the Belfast unit of the UK Border Force. The unit has a total strength of about 60, but the bulk of it is dedicated to the three primary control points at BFS (and during the summer at LDY).
As far as the land border goes, they prioritise the detection of illicit commodities flowing inward over the detection of illegals. All the rest of the information about their detection operations is closely managed and unavailable (even with Freedom of Information). When they provide evidence to the Home Affairs Committee, anything having to do with detection operations is snipped out.
However, they have given evidence that suggests the largest part of their border operations is in reaction to intelligence received from the field and the largest part of that is normal, every day, 'ordinary mortals' providing tip-offs. We also know that they have a system of about 300+ points where cameras are installed along the land border.
Per the comment from tricasse (to whom thanks) citing the Wiki article, they do not like to impose a large presence on the land border for political reasons. As a counterbalance they have a partnership with the local constabularies where they get alerted to the need for detection staff.
Per my own comment above, you can find the Chief Inspector's report at Inspection of the UK Border Agency in Scotland and Northern Ireland: Border Operations. The Agency replied to this report at The UK Border Agency Response...
Related question: How long before I can re-enter the UK after Youth Mobility?
For your own comment: "I'm going to Belfast for important but risky personal matters, and would prefer to leave my ID card at my Dublin hotel to eliminate the risk of it getting stolen." You are overthinking it, but of course that strategy is lawful and should not present a big problem if you are challenged.
edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:52
Community♦
1
answered Oct 29 '16 at 17:55
Gayot FowGayot Fow
75.5k21199380
Hmm, so the UK Border Force is responsible for checking ROI-bound passengers as well? One would expect the Gardai to do that
– Crazydre
Oct 29 '16 at 18:01
@Crazydre why would you think that?
– Gayot Fow
Oct 29 '16 at 19:15
A better reference for the immigration bit might be Inspection of the UK Border Agency in Scotland and Northern Ireland: Countering Abuse of the Common Travel Area. The impression left is that they spend almost nothing on the land border and instead use most resources to detect immigration offenders on (domestic) flights and ferries between NI and Britain.
– Dennis
Oct 30 '16 at 15:45
add a comment |
Monitoring the unregulated land border between the Republic and Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the Belfast unit of the UK Border Force. The unit has a total strength of about 60, but the bulk of it is dedicated to the three primary control points at BFS (and during the summer at LDY).
As far as the land border goes, they prioritise the detection of illicit commodities flowing inward over the detection of illegals. All the rest of the information about their detection operations is closely managed and unavailable (even with Freedom of Information). When they provide evidence to the Home Affairs Committee, anything having to do with detection operations is snipped out.
However, they have given evidence that suggests the largest part of their border operations is in reaction to intelligence received from the field and the largest part of that is normal, every day, 'ordinary mortals' providing tip-offs. We also know that they have a system of about 300+ points where cameras are installed along the land border.
Per the comment from tricasse (to whom thanks) citing the Wiki article, they do not like to impose a large presence on the land border for political reasons. As a counterbalance they have a partnership with the local constabularies where they get alerted to the need for detection staff.
Per my own comment above, you can find the Chief Inspector's report at Inspection of the UK Border Agency in Scotland and Northern Ireland: Border Operations. The Agency replied to this report at The UK Border Agency Response...
Related question: How long before I can re-enter the UK after Youth Mobility?
For your own comment: "I'm going to Belfast for important but risky personal matters, and would prefer to leave my ID card at my Dublin hotel to eliminate the risk of it getting stolen." You are overthinking it, but of course that strategy is lawful and should not present a big problem if you are challenged.
edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:52
Community♦
1
answered Oct 29 '16 at 17:55
Gayot FowGayot Fow
75.5k21199380
Hmm, so the UK Border Force is responsible for checking ROI-bound passengers as well? One would expect the Gardai to do that
– Crazydre
Oct 29 '16 at 18:01
@Crazydre why would you think that?
– Gayot Fow
Oct 29 '16 at 19:15
A better reference for the immigration bit might be Inspection of the UK Border Agency in Scotland and Northern Ireland: Countering Abuse of the Common Travel Area. The impression left is that they spend almost nothing on the land border and instead use most resources to detect immigration offenders on (domestic) flights and ferries between NI and Britain.
– Dennis
Oct 30 '16 at 15:45
add a comment |
Monitoring the unregulated land border between the Republic and Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the Belfast unit of the UK Border Force. The unit has a total strength of about 60, but the bulk of it is dedicated to the three primary control points at BFS (and during the summer at LDY).
As far as the land border goes, they prioritise the detection of illicit commodities flowing inward over the detection of illegals. All the rest of the information about their detection operations is closely managed and unavailable (even with Freedom of Information). When they provide evidence to the Home Affairs Committee, anything having to do with detection operations is snipped out.
However, they have given evidence that suggests the largest part of their border operations is in reaction to intelligence received from the field and the largest part of that is normal, every day, 'ordinary mortals' providing tip-offs. We also know that they have a system of about 300+ points where cameras are installed along the land border.
Per the comment from tricasse (to whom thanks) citing the Wiki article, they do not like to impose a large presence on the land border for political reasons. As a counterbalance they have a partnership with the local constabularies where they get alerted to the need for detection staff.
Per my own comment above, you can find the Chief Inspector's report at Inspection of the UK Border Agency in Scotland and Northern Ireland: Border Operations. The Agency replied to this report at The UK Border Agency Response...
Related question: How long before I can re-enter the UK after Youth Mobility?
For your own comment: "I'm going to Belfast for important but risky personal matters, and would prefer to leave my ID card at my Dublin hotel to eliminate the risk of it getting stolen." You are overthinking it, but of course that strategy is lawful and should not present a big problem if you are challenged.
edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:52
Community♦
1
answered Oct 29 '16 at 17:55
Gayot FowGayot Fow
75.5k21199380
Monitoring the unregulated land border between the Republic and Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the Belfast unit of the UK Border Force. The unit has a total strength of about 60, but the bulk of it is dedicated to the three primary control points at BFS (and during the summer at LDY).
As far as the land border goes, they prioritise the detection of illicit commodities flowing inward over the detection of illegals. All the rest of the information about their detection operations is closely managed and unavailable (even with Freedom of Information). When they provide evidence to the Home Affairs Committee, anything having to do with detection operations is snipped out.
However, they have given evidence that suggests the largest part of their border operations is in reaction to intelligence received from the field and the largest part of that is normal, every day, 'ordinary mortals' providing tip-offs. We also know that they have a system of about 300+ points where cameras are installed along the land border.
Per the comment from tricasse (to whom thanks) citing the Wiki article, they do not like to impose a large presence on the land border for political reasons. As a counterbalance they have a partnership with the local constabularies where they get alerted to the need for detection staff.
Per my own comment above, you can find the Chief Inspector's report at Inspection of the UK Border Agency in Scotland and Northern Ireland: Border Operations. The Agency replied to this report at The UK Border Agency Response...
Related question: How long before I can re-enter the UK after Youth Mobility?
For your own comment: "I'm going to Belfast for important but risky personal matters, and would prefer to leave my ID card at my Dublin hotel to eliminate the risk of it getting stolen." You are overthinking it, but of course that strategy is lawful and should not present a big problem if you are challenged.
edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:52
Community♦
1
answered Oct 29 '16 at 17:55
Gayot FowGayot Fow
75.5k21199380
edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:52
Community♦
1
edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:52
Community♦
1
edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:52
Community♦
1
1
answered Oct 29 '16 at 17:55
Gayot FowGayot Fow
75.5k21199380
answered Oct 29 '16 at 17:55
Gayot FowGayot Fow
75.5k21199380
answered Oct 29 '16 at 17:55
Gayot FowGayot Fow
75.5k21199380
75.5k21199380
Hmm, so the UK Border Force is responsible for checking ROI-bound passengers as well? One would expect the Gardai to do that
– Crazydre
Oct 29 '16 at 18:01
@Crazydre why would you think that?
– Gayot Fow
Oct 29 '16 at 19:15
A better reference for the immigration bit might be Inspection of the UK Border Agency in Scotland and Northern Ireland: Countering Abuse of the Common Travel Area. The impression left is that they spend almost nothing on the land border and instead use most resources to detect immigration offenders on (domestic) flights and ferries between NI and Britain.
– Dennis
Oct 30 '16 at 15:45
add a comment |
Hmm, so the UK Border Force is responsible for checking ROI-bound passengers as well? One would expect the Gardai to do that
– Crazydre
Oct 29 '16 at 18:01
@Crazydre why would you think that?
– Gayot Fow
Oct 29 '16 at 19:15
A better reference for the immigration bit might be Inspection of the UK Border Agency in Scotland and Northern Ireland: Countering Abuse of the Common Travel Area. The impression left is that they spend almost nothing on the land border and instead use most resources to detect immigration offenders on (domestic) flights and ferries between NI and Britain.
– Dennis
Oct 30 '16 at 15:45
Hmm, so the UK Border Force is responsible for checking ROI-bound passengers as well? One would expect the Gardai to do that
– Crazydre
Oct 29 '16 at 18:01
Hmm, so the UK Border Force is responsible for checking ROI-bound passengers as well? One would expect the Gardai to do that
– Crazydre
Oct 29 '16 at 18:01
@Crazydre why would you think that?
– Gayot Fow
Oct 29 '16 at 19:15
@Crazydre why would you think that?
– Gayot Fow
Oct 29 '16 at 19:15
A better reference for the immigration bit might be Inspection of the UK Border Agency in Scotland and Northern Ireland: Countering Abuse of the Common Travel Area. The impression left is that they spend almost nothing on the land border and instead use most resources to detect immigration offenders on (domestic) flights and ferries between NI and Britain.
– Dennis
Oct 30 '16 at 15:45
A better reference for the immigration bit might be Inspection of the UK Border Agency in Scotland and Northern Ireland: Countering Abuse of the Common Travel Area. The impression left is that they spend almost nothing on the land border and instead use most resources to detect immigration offenders on (domestic) flights and ferries between NI and Britain.
– Dennis
Oct 30 '16 at 15:45
add a comment |
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3
Since the Good Friday agreement, they're indeed very rare. See e.g. this Wikipedia article on border checks.
– tricasse
Oct 29 '16 at 1:52
Did you read the Chief Inspector's report?
– Gayot Fow
Oct 29 '16 at 4:43
@GayotFow No, could you please link it?
– Crazydre
Oct 29 '16 at 5:36
2
Why do you care?
– JonathanReez♦
Oct 29 '16 at 10:15
@JonathanReez I'm going to Belfast for important but risky personal matters, and would prefer to leave my ID card at my Dublin hotel to eliminate the risk of it getting stolen.
– Crazydre
Oct 29 '16 at 17:39