Garda chiefs are working on plans to have armed support units deployed around the clock in the border region to deal with the Brexit fallout.

Existing units are based in Dundalk and Ballyshannon, and it is expected that a third unit, will be located in Cavan later in the year to provide further cover.

It is expected that an estimated 70 probationers out of around 200 to graduate from the Garda College this Friday will be sent to the four divisions, Donegal, Sligo-Leitrim, Cavan-Monaghan and Louth in the Border region.

Gardaí are facing an increased workload as criminal gangs are prepared to exploit any fresh opportunities that could emerge.

Training has almost been completed for additional officers to expand two existing units in order to allow them to provide a 24-hour armed service, according to the Irish Independent.

The Garda authorities had decided last year that a third unit was necessary but planning was fast-tracked because of fears of a hard Brexit.

Additional Garda Special Branch patrols are already operating in the region to monitor the movements of suspected republican dissidents.

The PSNI where Chief Constable George Hamilton is recruiting an extra 308 officers and staff to deal with Brexit. The PSNI has been handed an additional £16.5m (€19.2m) to fund the recruitment of the extra officers along with improvements to IT and infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the DUP MP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has said garda plans to deploy armed support units around the clock along the border to deal with the fallout from Brexit are not necessary.