A group calling itself 'Irexit Freedom' has held a conference in Dublin outlining reasons to take Ireland out of the EU.

Around 300 people arrived at the event held in the Bonnington Hotel, with each person in attendance paying €8 towards the new party.

Saturday's event was organised by Hermann Kelly, a former press officer for Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage.

He is also the director of communications for the Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy group in the European Parliament.

The Londonderry native has said he aims to register Irexit Freedom as a political party in the Republic with the aim of taking the country out of the European Union, and added such a scenario could be one way of avoiding a hard border on the island of Ireland.

RTE reports the party initially plans to run candidates in European elections, with the view to running candidates in future General Elections.

In its programme it pledges to support "reunited and independent Ireland under the control of the Irish people".

The party's other objectives also focus on protection for the Irish language and support of "stable families for procreation".

In a country where more than two thirds of people have a positive view of the European Union, the group could face an uphill battle for support.

Amid chaotic negotiations between Brussels and London on the future of the UK's relationship with the EU, support in the Republic for the EU grew by around 5% over the past year, according to recent polling data.

Belfast Telegraph