Family of hero firefighter first to receive certificate of Irish heritage

THE mother of a New York firefighter who died on 9/11 has received the first “certificate of Irish heritage” under a Government scheme aimed at engaging with the country’s diaspora.

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore made the presentation to Bridget Hunter in honour of her son, Joe Hunter, who lost his life along with 18 members of his squad following the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.

The presentation was made at Firehouse 288 in Maspeth, Queens.

Mr Gilmore said about 70 million people around the world claimed to have Irish descent, and that they had been calling for recognition.

“Some qualify for an Irish passport, some don’t. One of the things that we have been hearing from people of Irish descent is that they want some formal recognition of their heritage, something to hang on the wall that says they’re Irish,” he said.

“This is the first certificate and we decided to make the first presentation to the mother of Joe Hunter, a fireman who worked here in Maspeth and answered the call that fateful day on 9/11 and ultimately ended up losing his life in the Twin Towers attempting to save the lives of others.

“I don’t think there’s anyone more fitting that could get the certificate than someone who made such a sacrifice.”

Mr Gilmore acknowledged that there was no way of knowing how many people would apply for the certificate but that it would be promoted through the various embassies and Irish communities around the world.

“There’s no legal entitlement that arises from it — no one will be able to claim a field back in Ireland because of it.

“But they will have an official acknowledgement from the Irish Government about their heritage — there’s neither political nor economic benefit to be gained from it. It’s just a way of formally making the connection with people.”

The initiative originated at the Global Irish Economic Forum in 2009.

It will be operated by Killorglin-based outsourcing provider FEXCO on behalf of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

FEXCO designed the yet-to-be-launched website (www.heritagecertificate.ie) and will manage the application process and issuing of certificates once the scheme goes live at the end of next week.

Applicants will have the choice of three different designs. The certificate presented to the Hunter family included a depiction of Edwin Hayes’ 1853 painting, An Emigrant Ship, Dublin Bay, Sunset.