The new US ambassador to Ireland will present his credentials to President Michael D Higgins tomorrow.

Kevin F O'Malley was sworn in as the new US ambassador by US Vice President Joe Biden on September 30th.

Mr O'Malley is an attorney, based in St Louis, Missouri whose trial skill earned him fellowship in the American College of Trial Lawyers.

He has also been has been an adjunct professor at Washington University School of Law, and taught at St Louis University School of Law from 1979 to 1985.

He is a recognised author of a treatise on jury instructions that is used in federal jury trials in the United States.

Mr. O'Malley has strong Irish roots: all four of his grandparents were born in Westport, Co Mayo - and he has also been a regular visitor to Ireland over the years.

He is joined in Ireland by his wife Dena and they have two sons, Brendan and Ryan.