13 people living in Co Leitrim become Irish citizens this week

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has welcomed the granting of citizenship to almost 4,000 new Irish citizens at ceremonies being held across two days in Killarney, Co. Kerry. 

A total of  13 new Irish citizens have addressed in Co. Leitrim. 

The Ceremonies are being held in the INEC Killarney on 19 and 20 June, and applicants from 130 countries worldwide will be conferred as Irish citizens. 

Minister McEntee congratulated the newest citizens at the ceremonies held on Monday, 19 June. “Becoming an Irish citizen will guarantee certain fundamental rights under our Constitution. These rights are many and varied, but they will protect you, your family and your freedom”, she said. 

“I encourage each new citizen to embrace your civic duty. It is an essential aspect of life in Ireland. It will empower you to become more engaged in civil society, whether it be in your local community or at a national level; some of you may choose to run for office in the coming years. Active involvement in the community will ensure everyone has a voice and will help strengthen our democracy”, added Minister McEntee. 

One-fifth of Ireland’s population now is made up of people that were born outside of the State. Minister Harris, who represented the Government at the ceremonies, said that “the richness of our nation is not measured in our wealth, but in our people, in our differences, our similarities and our shared home here on this island”. 

Since 2011, when the citizenship ceremonies were first introduced, there has been a total of 161,000 people from over 190 countries receiving their certificates of naturalisation.