The Senate unanimously approved St. Louis attorney Kevin O’Malley Thursday to serve as the U.S. ambassador to Ireland. President Barack Obama nominated O’Malley in June and U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., introduced O’Malley to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in July.

Shortly after the Senate confirmed O’Malley’s nomination, McCaskill issued a statement praising his selection.

“Kevin will make Missouri, and America, proud," said McCaskill. "This is a man who loves his country, and who knows and has a deep appreciation for Ireland. The country is an important ally, and that friendship is just as important now as it ever was. Ambassador O’Malley is a great choice to manage this critical relationship.”

Despite winning unanimous backing from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in July, O’Malley’s name was not sent to the full Senate prior to the summer recess. O'Malley received his B.A. and J.D. from St. Louis University School of Law.

The position of U.S. ambassador to Ireland has been vacant since the resignation of Dan Rooney in December 2012. Senators voted this week to fill dozens of ambassadorial vacancies around the world.