THREE NEW AMBASSADORS have presented their credentials to President Michael D Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin.

The new ambassadors for Mozambique, North Korea and Lao attended the ceremony this morning along with some family members and officials from their embassies.

New ambassador Hyon Hak Bong of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea was accompanied by the first secretary from the North Korean embassy. Carlos dos Santos of Mozambique and Khouanta Phalivong of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic were both accompanied by their wives.

The government was represented at the ceremony by Joe Costello, who is Minister of State for trade and development at the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The ambassadors received an army escort of honour as they were driven to and from the Áras, consisting of a motorcycle detachment from the 2nd Cavalry Squadron from Cathal Brugha Barracks.

The guard of honour outside the Áras was given by soldiers from the 1 Southern Brigade, 4th Infantry Battalion from Collins Barracks in Cork under the command of Lieutenant Ruairi O’Connor.