Law aims to crack down on bogus marriages

FOREIGN spouses of Irish nationals will be compelled to live here for three years before they can become Irish citizens, under new laws.

The legislation, which comes into effect this weekend, is aimed at cracking down on marriages of convenience which permit foreigners to stay permanently in Ireland and other EU member states.

Changes to the Nationality and Citizenship Act, 2001, mean that from today, foreigners married to Irish citizens will have to prove they have lived in Ireland for three of the previous five years.