Citizenship ceremony judge tells new citizens to ignore racist comments

The judge presiding over a citizenship ceremony in Dublin today has told the new citizens to ignore any racist comments they may hear.

Earlier today, 3,500 people were conferred as Irish citizens in the Convention Centre in Dublin.

94,000 have been given Irish citizenship since Naturalisation ceremonies were introduced by the Department of Justice 4 years ago.

Today's presiding judge, Bryan McMahon told the new citizens to ignore any negative comments that maybe directed towards them.

"There are reports of some racist comments being thrown at new citizens, but what you should remember when you come across that is the warmth, the embrace of this occasion, because this is the true reception that this state gives to you."