President is expected to leave hospital today
IT IS ‘likely’ that President Michael D Higgins will be released from hospital today following a health scare.
An ambulance was sent for the 82-year-old President at his Phoenix Park residence on Thursday after he began to feel unwell.
Paramedics assessed him at the Áras and while an initial exam did not show anything was wrong, a decision was made to transfer him to hospital for tests as a precaution.
However, Mr Higgins remained in hospital over the weekend and is expected to return to the Áras as early as today.
In a statement, his office said: ‘President Michael D Higgins has thanked the public for the outpouring of well wishes which he has received since his admission to St James’s Hospital, and would like to express his deep appreciation to all those who have sent messages to him, as well as to the medical staff for their continuing care. Following tests, which were carried out after his admission, the President will remain in hospital over the weekend in order to monitor his blood pressure.
‘It is anticipated the President will return to Áras an Uachtaráin early next week.’
It is not known if Mr Higgins will need to take time off from his busy schedule to aid in his recovery. On Saturday, his wife Sabina hosted an afternoon tea reception at Áras an Uachtaráin in his place.
Pictures of the President on Thursday afternoon show him standing with the aid of his walking stick, but he did not appear poorly at the time.
On Wednesday night he presented the 2024 Volta Lifetime Achievement Award to film director Steve McQueen at the Dublin Film Festival, while on Tuesday he attended the RTÉ Folk Awards in Vicar Street, Dublin.
Last July, the President had an elective medical procedure to relieve his back pain. Following the procedure, he continued to carry out his duties from Áras an Uachtaráin and from his home in Galway.
In the weeks that followed, he attended a reduced number of engagements while he did a short rehabilitation programme.
In 2022, Mr Higgins and his wife, Sabina, tested positive for Covid-19 after he began to display mild symptoms of the virus.
Last year, the Áras confirmed Mrs Higgins is receiving treatment for breast cancer. As part of her ongoing treatment, Ms Higgins had a successful procedure in November.
Mrs Higgins called on the women of Ireland to be aware of breast cancer symptoms.