Almost four in 10 Irish people would choose open borders and free trade with the UK over the EU, according to a major new poll out today.

However, 61% of people surveyed by ‘Ireland Thinks’ would still prefer to retain our existing relationship with the EU over a breakaway deal with the UK.

The poll, commissioned by the Irish Daily Mail, confirms the Irish public are more pro-European than the British.

However, the result will also offer a significant boost for those who argue that, post-Brexit, Ireland should ally with its nearest neighbour instead of mainland Europe.