Barack Obama congrats for new senator

US president Barack Obama has written to newly appointed senator Billy Lawless, to congratulate him.

Mr Lawless, a Chicago-based immigration advocate was one of 11 nominees appointed to the Seanad by Taoiseach Enda Kenny, despite being based in Chicago.

However, speaking in the Seanad yesterday on the order of business on the anniversary of the Berkeley tragedy, Mr Lawless read the letter from Mr Obama into the record of the House: “Dear Billy, please accept my congratulations on your appointment to the Seanad. As I’ve noted before, your story is a powerful one, and it reflects the enduring ties of friendship between the peoples of the United States and Ireland.