New Ambassadors present Credentials - 15 October 2025

His Excellency, Nicolas Nihon, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium, Her Excellency, María Teresa Lizaranzu Perinat, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain and Her Excellency, Kara Justine Owen, British Ambassador, presented their Letters of Credence to President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin today. 

His Excellency, Nicolas Nihon, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium, was accompanied by his spouse Mrs. Poy Petklai Nihon, their son Mr. Ananda Nihon and Ms. Katrijn Coppens, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium.

Her Excellency, María Teresa Lizaranzu Perinat, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain was accompanied by Mr. Gonzalo Vega Molina, Counsellor at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain.

Her Excellency, Kara Justine Owen, British Ambassador, was accompanied by her spouse, Mr. William Tierney, their daughters Saoirse Tierney & Líle Tierney, and Mr. Patrick Reilly, Deputy Head of Mission, British Embassy.

Mr. Colm Brophy, T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, attended on behalf of the Government.

The following were also present: Ms. Orla O’Hanrahan, Secretary General to the President; Mr. Joe Hackett, Secretary General, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Mr. Ralph Victory, Deputy Chief of Protocol, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Mr. John Lynam, Deputy Chief of Protocol, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Col Tom McGrath, Comdt Brian Walsh, Comdt Deirdre Newell, and Capt Pól Ó Domhnaill Aides-de-Camp to the President; Mr. Joe Brennan, Protocol, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The Ambassadors were accompanied to and from Áras an Uachtaráin by an Escort of Honour consisting of a motorcycle detachment drawn from the 2 Brigade Cavalry Squadron, Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin, under the command of Lieutenant Oisin O’Rourke.

A Guard of Honour was provided at Áras an Uachtaráin by the Air Corps, Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, Co. Dublin under the command of Lieutenant Thomas Bourgnon.

2nd Lieutenant Dara Kavanagh from the Air Corps, Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, Co. Dublin was the Flag Officer.

Captain Tom Kelly conducted the No. 1 Army Band, which is based in Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin.

ENDS

Press Office

15 October 2025