Almost 4,000 from 115 countries become Irish at citizenship ceremony

IT WAS a day of celebration at the Convention Centre Dublin yesterday as almost 4,000 people from 115 countries became Ireland’s newest citizens.

Many of those present had waited a considerable time to be granted citizenship. Among them was Maria Elizabeth Mallo (50) from the Philippines who has lived in Roscommon for the past 10 years.

“I am very excited today because I have been here for so long working hard to get my citizenship,” she said. “I love Ireland, although being from a tropical country I don’t think I will ever get used to the weather.”

Attorney General Máire Whelan and retired High Court judge Bryan McMahon presided over four ceremonies at which 3,800 individuals were sworn in as Irish citizens, having made a declaration of loyalty to the nation and fidelity to the State as well as undertaking to faithfully observe the laws of the State and respect its democratic values. Paul Ewetuga (42), from Lagos, Nigeria, but now living in Cork city, had also waited for 10 years to get citizenship. “It is good for me today because it will make some major changes to my life such as access to good healthcare and education,” he told The Irish Times. “When I was not a citizen here my life was much harder.”

In his speech, Minister for Justice Alan Shatter said the granting of citizenship was a major event in the lives of all of those who applied for it. “It is a time of celebration, a rite of passage and a moment for you all to cherish,” he said. Mr Shatter also said Ireland was enriched by the presence of these new citizens.

The first Citizenship Ceremony ever held in the State took place in June last year when 73 new citizens were sworn in. Since then about 14,000 individuals from 161 countries have been granted citizenship at 55 ceremonies.

Dhan Maya Adhikari (39), from Pokhara in Nepal, attended her husband’s citizenship ceremony last September, and yesterday it was her turn. “I am living over six years in Ireland, and it is very nice to become a citizen now like my husband. I like very much the people here, and we are very happy,” she said.

Mr Shatter said attempts by the Department of Justice to deal with the massive backlog of citizenship applications had been successful. He said that when the Government came into office, 22,000 applications were awaiting decisions. More than 30,000 applications have now been dealt with, including almost 17,000 so far this year.