Naturalisation Application and Reckonable Residence in IRL

[ITGuru]

I completed 5 years staying in Ireland (Arrived on 19th Jan 2005), all of which as dependant visa or on workpermits. But as part of my work/holidays I was out of this country for a period of total 504 days (almost 17 months) in this 5 years - not continuously but at different periods.

I contacted Immigrant Council and they told me it is Ok as long as you are 1 year continuous stay in Ireland just before applying + Total 5 years in Ireland. But not sure as I saw the following link at INIS.ie (http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/In ... eaflet_No3). It says that "If you are not a citizen of an EU state or of Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, any period where you were required by law to have permission to remain in the State, but did not, will not be reckoned".

1. Could I apply for Naturalisation now or do I have to wait till I have 60 months total residence in Ireland, after taking out any days I was out of Ireland?

2. Is it better to apply for Naturalisation via a Solicitor?

[agniukas]

your reckonable residence period will be counted by your permission stamps in your passport. if you were on holidays while you had your permission is ireland valid, it's ok and counted. however,if you were late to renew your permission by a week/month etc that period will not be counted.

[ITGuru]

Thanks for the reply.
Is there any advantage to apply via a solicitor as some people have suggested me?

[HOTSPURS]

Thanks for the reply.
Is there any advantage to apply via a solicitor as some people have suggested me?

Not that i know of. Apply for it yourself. Do not wait for 17 more months as the queue has already gotten worse. if they accept your application, you'll get a reference number within a week - if there are problems, they'll let you know & ask you to reapply.

[agniukas]

having a solicitor working for you does not increase your chances of getting naturalisation.