HEALTH CONCERN
President Michael D Higgins, 82, ‘in excellent spirits’ but will ‘remain in hospital overnight’ after feeling unwell
It is understood that Mr Higgins was taken to hospital as a precaution
PRESIDENT Michael D Higgins will remain in hospital overnight after feeling unwell at his home in his Phoenix Park earlier today.
The head of state, 82, was rushed to hospital by ambulance earlier today following an assessment by paramedics.
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The medics were called to Aras an Uachtarain earlier after President Higgins felt ill.
He was then sent to hospital on the recommendation of the paramedics despite "no immediate concerns" being identified.
The decision to transfer him to a Dublin hospital for tests was made as a precautionary measure.
An spokesperson for Aras an Uachtarain said President Higgins "is in excellent spirits" and will remain in hospital overnight.
A statement siad: "Aras an Uachtarain can confirm 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."
President Higgins had a hectic week with a number of meetings with foreign diplomats in Áras an Uachtaráin.
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He shook hands with players after watching the Ireland v Wales six Nations Championship on Saturday.
And he attended the annual RTE Folk Awards on Tuesday before heading to the Dublin International Film Festival last night to present the 2024 Volta Lifetime Achievement Award to film director Steve McQueen.
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It comes after Mr Higgins' wife Sabina underwent successful surgery in November as part of ongoing treatment for breast cancer.
Sabina said she was "truly touched by the outpouring of support" from the public after she her diagnosis.
And Mrs Higgins claims "good vibrations" in the form of letters, prayers, flowers and kind words "contributed to my recovery", after the news of her diagnosis sparked an outpouring of support.
In a statement in December of last year, she said: "I would like to thank all those friends and members of the public who have shown such kindness in sending such lovely messages of good will and love for my healing, and for all the beautiful cards, mass bouquets, prayers and flowers I received, as I was undergoing the treatment for breast cancer.
'Good vibrations'
"I have no doubt that all those good vibrations contributed to my recovery.
"I am eternally grateful and full of admiration for all the wonderful medical personnel who gave me such successful breast care."
She added: "I have received so many well wishes that it would be difficult for me to thank each person individually, however I would like each person to know that I have been truly touched by the outpouring of support and goodwill which I have received."
Mrs Higgins also took the opportunity to call on women to be aware of the symptoms of breast cancer and to get checked regularly.
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She said: "May I send my deepest thanks to you all and once again remind all women of the importance of being checked for breast cancer, and to particularly emphasise to women over the age of 70 that the risk continues to increase with age so please continue to be checked as regularly as possible.”
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women in Ireland, excluding skin cancer, and 3,400 women are diagnosed every year - with 30 men in Ireland also receiving the diagnosis.
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