THE American judiciary broke with tradition yesterday - for the first time the Supreme Court sat on a Sunday to allow 125 Irish emigrants to take US citizenship on St Patrick's Day.
The emigrants, many living in the US for decades, took the oath of allegiance at a special ceremony near the White House. Thirteen-year-old Clare Hanna, from Donegal town, presented a plaque to US officials which will be passed to President Clinton to commemorate the event.
Clare, her brother Karol (15), and her parents, Edward and Breege, who emigrated to the US seven years ago, were all granted US citizenship. The plaque commemorated James Hoban, the Kilkenny architect who designed the White House.
The emigrants from all over Ireland are now living in Washington, Maryland and Virginia. Ms Mary Murtagh, a mother of six from Tipperary, was one of those who became a US citizen yesterday. She brought her six children to the US in 1961, where her husband, Larry, was working.
Ms Margaret Lynch, from Tralee, was one of the first emigrants to get a Donnelly visa. She also took the oath yesterday.
The new citizens will be eligible to vote. For at least one husband and wife team, Patrick and Susan McNulty, this was their main motivation. The couple want to vote for President Clinton on November 5th.
Over the next few years, 50,000 Irish people will be eligible for US citizenship.
"We will always be Irish. Donegal will always be home but America is our future. Taking American citizenship means better security for our family," says Breege Hanna. "We came out on a Donnelly visa six years ago. Having American citizenship will give us security, freedom and new opportunities."
After the swearing-in ceremony, the group travelled to Springfield, Virginia, to celebrate.