If this is an investment property (and I assume it is based on the forum in which this query was posted) then the first time buyer status is irrelevant since you will be buying as an investor. If, however, you are buying as an owner occupier then having already bought a property (regardless of the fact that it is abroad) then you are not a first time buyer. In this case however you may still qualify for the preferential rate of first time buyer owner occupier mortgage interest relief if this is your first mortgage in Ireland but I'm not 100% sure about this. The other things affected by non first time buyer status are stamp duty rates on certain properties and qualification for certail loans (some lenders offer certain loans to FTBs only - e.g. 100% mortgages). There is no legitimate way around the fact that your foreign property purchase causes you to lose your FTB status.
Post crossed with previous one.