His Excellency, Mr. Bernardo Guanche, Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba, His Excellency, Mr. Giovanni Buttigieg, Ambassador of Malta and His Excellency, Dr. Benedict Johannes Gubler, Ambassador of Switzerland, presented their Letters of Credence to President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin today.
H.E. Mr. Bernardo Guanche, Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba, was accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Mabel Rodriguez and his son, Mr. Carlos Guanche.
H.E. Dr. Benedict Johannes Gubler, was accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Clethe Minervini Gubler.
Mr. James Browne, T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Justice, with responsibility for Law Reform and Youth Justice represented the Government at the ceremony.
The following were also present: Ms. Orla O’Hanrahan, Secretary General to the President; Mr. John Conlan, Deputy Secretary General, Department of Foreign Affairs; Col. Stephen Howard, Comdt Brian Walsh, Comdt Deirdre Newell and Capt. Pól Ó Domhnaill, Aides-de-Camp to the President; Mr. Gerald Angley, 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 Colm Layton.
A Guard of Honour was provided at Áras an Uachtaráin by the Air Corps, Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, under the command of Lieutenant Fiachra McGoldrick.
Captain Thomas Kelly conducted the Band of the 2nd Brigade, Custume Barracks, Athlone.
Lieutenant Paraic Hallihan, from the Air Corps, Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, was the flag officer.
