His Excellency, Mr. Adil Yousif Omer Bannaga, Ambassador of the Republic of the Sudan, Her Excellency, Mrs. Kairi Künka, Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia and His Excellency, Mr. Andrej Droba, Ambassador of the Slovak Republic presented their Letters of Credence to President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin today.
His Excellency, Mr. Adil Yousif Omer Bannaga, Ambassador of the Republic of the Sudan, was accompanied by his wife Mrs Arwa Mohamed Abdalla, daughter Eman Adil Yousif Omer and Mr Mohammed Elbashir, Deputy Head of Mission.
Her Excellency, Mrs. Kairi Künka, Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia was accompanied by her husband Amb. Sven Jürgenson, son Artur Jürgenson, daughter Anna Jürgenson and Mrs. Helena Koch, Consul.
His Excellency Mr. Andrej Droba, Ambassador of the Slovak Republic was accompanied by his wife Mrs Daniela Drobová and daughter Sara Drobová.
Ms. Mary Butler TD, Minister of State for the Department of Health, with responsibility for Mental Health and Older People, represented the Government at the ceremony.
The following were also present: Ms. Orla O’Hanrahan, Secretary General to the President; Mr. Joseph Hackett, Secretary General, Department of Foreign Affairs; Col. Stephen Howard, Capt. Martin McMahon, Capt. Austin Doyle and Capt. Paul O’Donnell Aides-de-Camp to the President; Mr. Paul Kavanagh, Mr. Joe Brennan and Ms. Marylee Wall, Protocol, Department of Foreign Affairs.
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 Tadhg Campbell.
A Guard of Honour was provided at Áras an Uachtaráin by the 27th Infantry Battalion, Aiken Barracks, Dundalk, under the command of Lieutenant Turlough Gallagher.
Captain John Carpenter conducted the No 1 Band, which is based in Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin
Second Lieutenant Jordan O’Neill, from the 27th Infantry Battalion, Aiken Barracks, Dundalk, was the flag officer
