President Michael D Higgins has spent the night at a Dublin hospital, although he was said to be in “excellent spirits” last night.
He felt unwell at Áras an Uachtaráin yesterday afternoon, and was taken to hospital as a precaution on medical advice.
In a statement last night, issued around five hours later, the Áras said that the results of those initial tests were positive, but President Higgins, 82, was staying in hospital overnight.
“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,” the statement added.
Last summer, President Higgins, 82, underwent pre-planned surgery to relieve back pain, however it is unclear if that is connected to last night’s hospital admission.
He had been due to host an afternoon tea reception at his official residence today, and attend the FAI Women’s President’s Cup tomorrow.
On Wednesday night, President Higgins presented the 2024 Volta award to British film director Steve McQueen, at the Dublin International Film Festival.
President Higgins last night presented the 2024 Volta Lifetime Achievement Award to film director Steve McQueen at the @DublinFilmFest pic.twitter.com/tZGdlHBJWo
— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) February 29, 2024
Earlier that day, he received a courtesy 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 and a parliamentary delegation to Áras an Uachtaráin.
