Michael D was in hospital last night but is in ‘excellent spirits’
PRESIDENT Michael D Higgins was last night said to be in ‘excellent spirits’ after being rushed to hospital having felt unwell at home at Áras an Uachtaráin.
An ambulance was sent to the Phoenix Park for the 82-year-old President after he began to feel unwell earlier in the day.
Paramedics assessed President Higgins on site and a decision was made to transfer him to hospital for tests as a precaution. He left the grounds shortly after 5.30pm.
A statement from Áras an Uachtaráin last night confirmed that, ‘having felt unwell, President Michael D Higgins was this evening brought to hospital for precautionary tests. The President was initially assessed at Áras an Uachtaráin where no immediate concerns were identified but a decision was made to proceed to hospital in order to undergo tests, the initial results of which have been positive. ‘The President, who will remain in hospital overnight, is in excellent spirits and has thanked the medical staff for the care he has received,’ it added. New Ireland Commission member Karl Duncan posted a picture of Mr Higgins while meeting him at the Áras yesterday afternoon. The president can be seen standing with the aid of his walking stick, but did not appear poorly at the time. On Wednesday night he presented the 2024 Bolta Lifetime Achievement Award to British film director Steve McQueen at the Dublin Film Festival, while on Tuesday he attended the annual RTÉ Folk Awards at Vicar Street, Dublin.
Earlier that day, he received a call from Bui Thanh Son, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Vietnam. He also met Peter Pellegrini, speaker of the National Council of the Slovak Republic.
This week, he appealed to countries that have withdrawn funding from a relief agency in Gaza to ‘think again’ and to provide support to avoid a ‘catastrophe’.
He is scheduled to host a garden party today at the Áras while tomorrow he is due to attend the FAI Women’s President’s Cup.