US ambassador presents credentials

Ireland’s new US ambassador formally presented his credentials to President Michael D Higgins in a ceremony in Áras an Uachtaráin.

Kevin F O’Malley, a Missouri lawyer who practiced for more than 35 years, has taken up the post after it lay empty following the departure of Dan Rooney in December 2012. He was joined at yesterday’s ceremony by his wife Dena with whom he has two sons, Brendan and Ryan.

Mr O’Malley served as an assistant US attorney in St Louis, Missouri, from 1979 to 1983 and was a special attorney in the Organised Crime and Racketeering Section of the US Department of Justice from 1974 to 1979.

Yesterday, the new ambassador also met with Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan.

Afterwards, Mr Flanagan said they discussed how to further strengthen the economic and trading relationship between the two countries, as well as the importance of enhancing the cultural and educational links between the two populations.

“We also discussed recent developments on Northern Ireland, where the US role has been, and continues to be, absolutely crucial, especially as we prepare for talks aimed at resolving the current political impasse,” said Mr Flanagan. “I also stressed the importance placed on US immigration reform by the Government and explained how the issue of our undocumented citizens touches the lives of many Irish families.”