Joyful ceremonies mark the end of long, expensive naturalisation process

Alaa Kiwan, from Palestine, who received Irish citzenship with partner Vasileios Sergis, from Greece but both now living in Galway, during a citizenship ceremony at the Convention Centre, Dublin. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Over 6,000 people pledged allegiance to Ireland and were attested as Irish citizens this week, bringing the total number of people who have become naturalised citizens this year to 13,519.

The past decade has seen a rise in immigrants moving to Ireland – both European and non-European nationals.