New Ambassadors present Credentials
His Excellency, Desmond Babatunde Edwards, Ambassador of the Republic of Sierra Leone and Her Excellency, Nts’ebo Moshoeshoe, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Lesotho presented their Letters of Credence to President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin today.
His Excellency, Desmond Babatunde Edwards, Ambassador of the Republic of Sierra Leone was accompanied by his spouse Mrs. Susan Edwards, their two sons Emmanuel and Isaac Edwards, and Mr. Tamba Juana, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Republic of Sierra Leone.
Her Excellency, Nts’ebo Moshoeshoe, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Lesotho was accompanied by Mrs. Makananelo Puseletso, Counsellor at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Lesotho.
Ms. Marian Harkin T.D., Minister of State, Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, represented the Government at the ceremony.
The following were also present: Ms. Orla O’Hanrahan, Secretary General to the President; Mr. Declan Smyth, Legal Adviser, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Mr. Ralph Victory, Deputy Chief of Protocol, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Colonel Tom McGrath, Commandant Brian Walsh, Commandant Emmett Gallagher, Captain Pol O’Donnell, Aides-de-Camp to the President; and Mr. Joe Brennan, 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 Brigade Cavalry Squadron, Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin, under the command of Lieutenant Bobby Smith.
A Guard of Honour was provided at Áras an Uachtaráin by 1 Brigade Artillery Regiment, Collins Barracks, Co. Cork under the command of Lieutenant David Groome.
2nd Lieutenant Tiernan Mahon from 1 Brigade Artillery Regiment, Collins Barracks, Co. Cork was the Flag Officer.
Captain Tom Kelly conducted the No. 1 Army Band, which is based in Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin.
