GETTY - EXPRESS The British Army should be sent to patrol the Northern Ireland border, the chair of UKIP NI claims

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David McNarry, the chair of UKIP Northern Ireland, said armed patrols of the 500 kilometre long border were essential in preserving the safety of British towns and cities - especially with a potential Brexit approaching. If Britain votes to leave the European Union, Mr McNarry warned, the open border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland would be used as a backdoor entrance for "people who wish us harm". The west coast of the Republic of Ireland is sparsely populated, making it a prime area for drug and people smuggling. From there, McNarry fears, migrants or terrorists can easily travel through the Republic, across the unpatrolled Northern Ireland border and into mainland Britain via a ferry to Scotland. He said a pre-emptive armed response was essential in blocking off what is the only land entrance into Britain from the rest of the EU.

GETTY David McNarry says an armed presence is essential in protecting the UK from migrants and terrorists

Cameron needs to spell out to the people of the UK how they will be protected from smugglers, drug dealers and people traffickers David McNarry

He told Express.co.uk: "I see a porous border as a national security threat. We have almost erased our border in terms of drawing a line but everyone is so laid back about it. "What is scary is that it is the UK's only land border. Cameron needs to spell out to the people of the UK how they will be protected from smugglers, drug dealers and people traffickers." He said Cameron must deploy soldiers to the Irish border to prepare for a Leave victory in the June 23 EU referendum. Mr McNarry said: "I support patrols, active patrols. We need to have the Army asserting our sovereignty. "It's a hell of a job to ask anybody to do but if you leave it then it's wide open for migration, for the clever traffickers, for the criminals. "They need to see that we're here and we'll do everything we can to stop people who wish us harm crossing the border."

GETTY The British Army is contentious in Northern Ireland due to its role in The Troubles

Mr McNarry said the route from the Republic of Ireland to mainland Britain for migrants and terrorists was well-known and well-travelled. He said: “We know the IRA did it successfully. It could happen again with dissidents or jihadis copying them. “It is very easy to get into the Republic and make their way to Northern Ireland and across into Scotland. “Neither the Irish nor ourselves operate in Schengen but it is open for the Turks to exploit. “There’s no way they won’t see the access and get around with loopholes and into the UK.”

GETTY Mr McNarry conceded “borders are sensitive issues” but insisted the presence of troops was essential