Odds of border poll slashed following Sinn Féin remarks

Odds of a border poll being held before the end of the decade have been slashed by bookmakers following Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald’s comments over the Easter weekend.

The President and the party’s Justice spokesperson, Matt Carthy, both spoke on different occasions on the need for a referendum on Irish unity by 2030.

This comes following An Taoiseach Micheál Martin previously ruling out such a poll pre-2030.

Speaking at Sinn Féin’s annual commemoration in Carrickmore, Co Tyrone on Easter Sunday, Ms. McDonald said the building of a "new and united Ireland" was the "most important task for a generation."

She said: "It’s not good enough for Taoiseach Micheál Martin to stick his head in the sand and stand against the momentum for unity."

The Dublin TD added that their sought-after united Ireland "belongs every bit as much to the families of Dungannon as it does to the families of Carrickmore; every bit as much to the families of Tyrone as the families of Dublin, Cork and Galway."

A Nation Still Rising

This Easter, we honour the men and women of 1916, and those from all generations, who gave everything for a free, united Ireland.

Their dream was bold — a Republic built on equality, justice, and the freedom of the people. That vision still lights the way… pic.twitter.com/wqW42n74Os

— Mary Lou McDonald (@MaryLouMcDonald) April 20, 2025

In Waterford, Carthy echoed McDonald, stating that Ireland "will be united."

"We will have a referendum on Irish unity," he said, "And we will win a referendum on Irish unity."

Taoiseach wrong on Irish Unity – @mattcarthy

"Everything that previous generations have fought for is now within reach, and yet we have a Taoiseach who tells us that now is not the time for Irish Unity. He is wrong and will be proven wrong."https://t.co/2zYyS0cMT8

— Sinn Féin (@sinnfeinireland) April 20, 2025

Following party members' calls for a border poll over the weekend, odds on one being held before 2030 have been cut by Ladbrokes.

Odds on a border poll taking place before the end of the decade are now at 7/4 with odds of a poll after 2030 currently at 2/5.

Ladbrokes’ Cal Gildart said: "Sinn Féin are pushing for a border poll to happen this decade and with Michelle O’Neill the First Minister in Northern Ireland and Sinn Féin now the most popular in the republic, there is still an appetite for a poll for a United Ireland this decade."

A border poll would have to take place in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

The first poll of its kind took place in 1973, with 99% voting in favour of Northern Ireland to remain in the United Kingdom

Turnout was just 59%, however, due to many nationalist communities boycotting it.

The Good Friday Agreement says that a reunification would be a "binding obligation on both governments to introduce and support their respective parliaments’ legislation to give effect to that wish."

*This article was originally published on Extra.ie.