Three citizenship ceremonies postponed with the arrival of Storm Ophelia last month have now been rescheduled.

In a statement, the Department of Justice said the ceremonies originally set for 16 October will now take place on Monday 27 November at Convention Centre Dublin.

New invitation letters are being sent to those affected by the cancellation of ceremonies on 16 October, with the same arrangements applying for the new date.

Justice also confirmed it was taking steps to help those whose immigration status may have been affected by the near six-week pushback.

“In view of the exceptional circumstances, if your immigration permission as shown on your registration certificate (GNIB card) expired following the cancellation of the citizenship ceremony, you do not need to renew it in advance of the rescheduled ceremony of 27 November,” the department added. “You will still be granted citizenship at the rescheduled ceremony as long as you were in permission on 16 October.”

Those who have plans to travel abroad before the rescheduled ceremony will need to apply for a new GNIB card, which will be valid until 31 December, as well as a re-entry visa if required.

Affected persons in Dublin who require the temporary registration certificate should make an emergency appointment with the Burgh Quay Registration Office at burghquayregoffice@justice.ie. People in all other counties should contact their local Garda registration office. Information on re-entry visa applications can be obtained on the INIS website or by contacting reentryqueries@justice.ie.

In all cases, applicants are advised to bring along their original invitation to the 16 October citizenship ceremony to their appointment.

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