Real sea change for navy recruits

By Michelle McDonagh
Wednesday January 30 2008 (source http://www.independent.ie) 

The first two foreign national recruits to the Naval Service -- one Portuguese and the other Polish --

will make history when they graduate next week.

Grzegorz Ciszek (24), from Poland, and Fabio Conceicao (18), from Portugal, will officially

pass out with their fellow Irish recruits on February 7 next, at the Irish Naval Service base at Haulbowline, Co Cork.

Ltd Cmdr Terry Ward said the new recruits reflected the general change in the diversity of Irish society.

"This is the first time that foreign nationals will pass out of the Navy and I think this reflects the changing Irish population," he explained.

Grzegorz Ciszek is from Katawice in the south west of Poland, but has been living in Ireland for the past three years. He lives in Crosshaven, Co Cork, with his Irish fiancee.

His fellow recruit, Fabio Conceicao, is from Pombal in northern Portugal. He has also been in Ireland for three years and lives in Youghal with his father, stepmother and three brothers.

Ltd Cmdr Ward pointed out that both young men have volunteered their services and taken an oath to be loyal to Ireland and the Constitution.

When asked how he felt about taking the Irish oath, Grzegorz said: "Ireland has been very good to me and I am proud to be given the opportunity."

They will continue their specialised training -- Grzegorz will train to become a mechanician, while Fabio will specialise as a seaman gunner.

- Michelle McDonagh

(source www.independent.ie)