Citizenship applicants cannot leave Ireland at all for one year before application, judge rules

A High Court judge, in a significant decision, has ruled the "continuous residence" requirement in citizenship applications means an applicant for naturalisation must have "unbroken" residence in the State for an entire year immediately before the date of their application.

The Minister for Justice's discretionary practise of allowing applicants six weeks out of the country, for holiday or other reasons, and more time in exceptional circumstances, is not permitted by law, Mr Justice Max Barrett ruled.