Over 3,300 become Irish citizens in Killarney

The Presiding Officers at the ceremonies was retired High Court Judge Bryan McMahon

Members of the Irish Defence Force in Killarney

Harpreet Singh

The queue at the Gleneagle INEC Arena

Dave and Sheila Hennessy

Writer and Broadcaster Barbara Scully with her husband, photographer, Paul Sherwood

3,300 people became new Irish citizens

Raghfa Khalil

Ashfaque Memon, Tayyaba Hafeez and three-week-old Haider Ali from Letterkenny, Co Donegal

Amhrán na bhFiann range out loud and clear in Killaeney this Monday as over 3,300 people became new Irish citizens.

The Gleneagle INEC Arena was packed to capacity as those being honoured and their guests enjoyed the ceremonies at which Minister of State James Browne presided.

Mikaely and Gabriel Mihaila, who are living in Dublin, Allison Currach and Karen Fernandes, Galway who were among the 3,300 people became new Irish citizens.
Pictures: Valerie O’Sullivan

His Dáil colleague, Minister of State Anne Rabbitte, will preside at another ceremony on Tuesday morning.

Applicants from over 130 countries are receiving their certificates of naturalisation, and taking an oath of fidelity to the Irish State and those receiving citizenship include 63 people living in Kerry.

327 are from the UK, 326 from India, 282 from Pakistan, 170 from Poland, 159 from the Syrian Arab Republic, 158 from Brazil, 154 from Nigeria, 150 from Romania, 102 from the US and 95 from the Philippeans.

Speaking at the ceremony today, Minister of State James Browne, welcomed Ireland’s newest citizens,and emphasised the importance of this day, which will be a milestone in their lives.

“The conferring of citizenship on you today opens new doors – to enjoy the fundamental rights as set out in the Irish Constitution, to vote in referenda that may change the Constitution, to get and to travel with an Irish passport, to serve on a jury, to run for election to Government.

Blessing Adeola who became an Irish citizen

“These are life changing rights and ones which I hope you enjoy,” he said.

He said Ireland has made a wider symbolic commitment that resonates with the country’s history and with Irish people at home and abroad and he added that Ireland strives to be safe, fair and inclusive for all.

The Presiding Officers at the ceremonies are retired High Court Judge, Bryan McMahon and retired Judge Paddy McMahon, who administered the Declaration of Fidelity to the Irish Nation and Loyalty to the State.

The new citizens also undertook to faithfully observe the law of the State and respect its democratic values.

To date, including minors, approximately 155,000 people from 180 countries have received Irish citizenship since 2011.

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