President Michael D Higgins is to remain in hospital over the weekend a spokesperson has confirmed.
He is also thankful for the “outpouring” of support he has received, expressing his “deep appreciation to all those who have sent messages to him, as well as to the medical staff for their continuing care”.
A conversation was reportedly held yesterday about discharging Mr Higgins, before the decision was taken to keep him in over the weekend as a precaution.
He is expected to return to Áras an Uachtaráin early next week.
President Higgins has thanked the public for the well wishes which he has received since yesterday evening. The President will remain in hospital over the weekend and is expected to return to Áras an Uachtaráin early next week. Full statement: https://t.co/DNYhhVbZIG
— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) March 1, 2024
“excellent spirits”
Despite being admitted yesterday, President Higgins was in “excellent spirits” according to reports.
“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”, a statement read.
“The President, who will remain in hospital overnight, is in excellent spirits and has thanked the medical staff for the care he has received”.
Earlier, Mr Higgins had received a courtesy call from Vietnam’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Bui Thanh Son. He also met the Peter Pellegrini, Speaker of the National Council of the Slovak Republic, and a parliamentary delegation to Áras an Uachtaráin.
President Higgins was also in attendance at the International Film Festival to present the 2024 Volta award to British film director Steve McQueen on Thursday.
He was scheduled to host an afternoon tea reception at his official resident, as well as attend the FAI Women’s President’s Cup today.
Last December, President Higgins had also led the tributes to the late Irish music legend and Pogues singer Shane MacGowan, who passed away aged 65.
“Like so many across the world, it was with the greatest sadness that I learned this morning of the death of Shane MacGowan”, he said.
Mr Higgins added, “Shane will be remembered as one of music’s greatest lyricists. So many of his songs would be perfectly crafted poems, if that would not have deprived us of the opportunity to hear him sing them”.
