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'Now we belong' -- tears as new citizens given a cead mile failte

FROM Siberia with love. Olga Sergina (29) told how she traded one of the coldest places on the planet for the chilly damp green fields of Ireland as she took part in the first ceremonial granting of Irish citizenship at Dublin Castle.

"I came here to study first in 2001 and then I came back. I fell in love with Robert, I fell in love with the country," the office worker said after she swore allegiance to her adopted country alongside 72 other people from 24 countries across five continents.

They had all chosen Ireland as their new home after journeying thousands of miles from countries including Bangladesh, Pakistan, Russia, Philippines, China, Tajikistan, Egypt, Croatia and Moldova
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Freedom

Ms Sergina said receiving citizenship gave her "freedom" in employment and in travelling.

"I am calling Ireland now my home," she said.

Delighted care assistant Arman Engyo, and daughter Mikayla (1), looked on as his wife Aileen Engyo, at nurse at St Vincent's Hospital who is originally from Manila in the Philippines, received her certificate.

She said it meant "stability for my work and my family".

Grace Joseph, who left Nigeria for Tyrellstown in Dublin with her three children and husband 12 years ago, said it meant she was now "certain and not afraid of what might happen". Ms Joseph, a health care assistant added: "I'm Irish. Yes, I get to belong to the country. We are so grateful for what the Irish Government have done for migrants.

"I chose to come to Ireland as I know Ireland is a Christian nation, people are friendly and very receptive and people spoke English so I wasn't going to get lost. I remember when I first arrived people wanted to feel my hair," she said. "I was one of the first that came."

Hardip Singh (32) and his wife Jatinder (27), left Punjab in India for Lucan, Co Dublin, more than nine years ago and are now parents to two-year-old twin boys. The carpenter came on a work permit with builders McNamara and Company and has since taken up maintenance work at a supermarket.

"I feel very happy today," he said as he received his citizenship certificate. "It is like having a graduation ceremony."

Mr Singh said he had originally been "sad" leaving his family, before adding: "I work with Irish guys, they are very good men. Very friendly."

- Louise Hogan