One Irish politician has put money on a United Ireland by 2024Getty Images

Paddy Power has slashed the odds on reunification within five years as research shows Ireland could be heading for a referendum

One Irish politician had lodged a bet with Paddy Power saying that Ireland will be united within five years.

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On January 21, Senator Mark Daly shared on his Facebook that he placed a €50 bet on ‘United Ireland by January 1, 2024.’

Senator Daly noted that he placed his bet the same week of the 100th anniversary of the first meeting of the Dail Eireann (Irish Parliament) in Ireland.

“On this the 100th anniversary of the 1st meeting of Dáil Éireann the parliament of the whole island Paddy Power gave me odds of 20/1 on a United Ireland by 2024,” Senator Daly wrote on Facebook.

Read More: Support for united Ireland jumps as no-deal Brexit risk draws near

On February 2, the Irish senator shared that the odds had been "slashed" by Paddy Power to 15/2:

Senator Daly has been conducting research in conjunction with UNESCO regarding the possibility of a reunification referendum, particularly in the wake of Brexit.

On Twitter, the senator pointed to separate poll from Lucid Talk, a UK-based market research firm, that found a majority of people in Northern Ireland believe Brexit is making a united Ireland more likely:

Read More: Irish unity poll likely, say British ministers, if a hard Brexit happens

On February 16, the Irish senator shared to Facebook that in his research, 55 percent of those surveyed said there would be a referendum on Irish reunification within 10 years.

A strong majority believe that the Republic of Ireland should establish an All-Ireland citizens assembly:

Additionally, the research showed that a majority of people surveyed believe the government should be working with Unionists to address their fears & concerns about a United Ireland:

In the reporting, one professor stated: “In anticipation of a future referendum on unification and a new Ireland, regardless of when this emerges, program and policymakers need to establish a basis for cross-society interaction, integrated schooling, and integrated existences (housing, work, and other settings).”

“It is only through this sort of interaction, communication, and experience sharing that all sides realize common, general needs as well as the fact that they have nothing to fear from the ‘other’ side.”

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Do you think a referendum regarding Irish reunification is imminent? Let us know in the comments