Their Excellencies, the Ambassador of the Republic of Finland, the Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Ambassador of the Republic of The Gambia presented their Letters of Credence to the President at Áras an Uachtaráin today.
H.E. Ms. Raili Lahnalampi, Ambassador of the Republic of Finland was accompanied by her husband, Mr. John Horgan and by Ms. Anne Mutanen, Counsellor, and Deputy Head of Mission.
H.E. Mrs. Gergana Karadjova, Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria was accompanied by her husband Mr. Ilian Karadjov, and by Mr. Svetlozar Panov, Minister Counsellor and Head of Consulate Service.
H.E. Mr. Francis Rene Blain, Ambassador of the Republic of The Gambia, travelled from London for the event.
Mr. David Stanton, T.D., Minister of State for Equality, Immigration and Integration, represented the Government at the ceremony.
The following were also present: Mr. Art O’Leary, Secretary General to the President; Mr. Eamonn McKee, Assistant Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Mr. Joe Brennan, Ms. Marylee Wall, and Mr. Daniel Lowe, Protocol, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The Ambassadors were accompanied to and from Áras an Uachtaráin by an Escort of Honour consisting of a motorcycle detachment drawn from the 2 Cavalry Squadron, Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin, under the command of Lieutenant Stephen Bunney.
A Guard of Honour was provided at Áras an Uachtaráin by the 28th Infantry Battalion, Finner Camp, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, under the command of Second Lieutenant Alex Doran.
Captain John Carpenter conducted the Army No. 1 Band, Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin.