Irish President Michael D Higgins Hospitalized, Expected to Stay Overnight

Irish President Michael D. Higgins has been hospitalized after feeling unwell, according to his office.

The 82-year-old head of state was initially assessed by medical professionals at his official residence, áras an Uachtaráin, in the capital city of Dublin, on Thursday.

Precautionary Hospitalization Follows Active Week for President Higgins

(Photo : Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
Irish President Michael D Higgins speaks to the media after the funerals of Robert Garwe, aged 50 and his daughter Shauna Flanagan Garwe, aged 5 take place on October 15, 2022 at St. Michaels Church, Cresslough in Donegal, Ireland.

Although no immediate concerns were identified during the initial assessment, a decision was made to transfer President Higgins to the hospital for further evaluation as a precautionary measure.

A spokesperson for áras an Uachtaráin informed the Irish Mirror, "The president, who will remain in hospital overnight, is in excellent spirits and has thanked the medical staff for the care he has received."

The decision to admit President Higgins to the hospital comes after he presented the 2024 Volta Lifetime Achievement Award to renowned film director Steve McQueen at the Dublin International Film Festival on Wednesday.

Additionally, earlier in the week, the president hosted several foreign diplomats and attended the RTé folk awards in Vicar Street, Dublin, on Tuesday.

President Higgins Urges Reinstatement of UNRWA Funding

President Higgins has been an active advocate for international humanitarian causes during his tenure. Just this Monday, he appealed to countries such as the UK and Germany to reconsider their decision to withdraw funding from the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

The agency has faced funding freezes from several nations while under review for allegations related to a Hamas attack. In his statement, President Higgins emphasized the significance of international humanitarian action.

"The lead taken by Ireland in giving increased and additional aid to UNRWA is an example of which Irish people can be proud of, not only because of our own history but given the importance international humanitarian action and international humanitarian law has in our world," he said.

President Higgins, who has served since 2011 and was re-elected in 2018, is due to complete his final term next year. Although the role of the Irish president is primarily ceremonial with limited constitutional powers, he has played an active role in representing Ireland on the global stage.

As President Higgins continues his hospital stay, updates regarding his condition are expected to be released.