Irish President Michael D Higgins is to remain in hospital over the weekend

Ireland’s president will remain in hospital over the weekend after being admitted on Thursday.

Michael D Higgins had been taken to St James’ Hospital in Dublin after feeling unwell.

The 82-year-old will stay there over the weekend as a precautionary measure, it is understood, and for his blood pressure to be monitored.

A discussion about discharging the president is thought to have taken place on Friday, before a decision was made for him to stay in hospital.

A statement 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 yesterday evening 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 Mr Higgins will return to his official residence, Aras an Uachtarain, early next week, the statement said.

A medical team had visited the president at home, where no immediate concerns were identified.

He underwent tests in hospital, with the initial results said to have been “positive”.

In an earlier statement released on Thursday, Mr Higgins’ spokesman said he was in “excellent spirits” in hospital.

“Aras an Uachtarain can confirm that, having felt unwell, President Michael D Higgins was this evening brought to hospital for precautionary tests,” the statement said.

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“The president was initially assessed at Aras an Uachtarain 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.”

On Wednesday night, Mr Higgins attended the Dublin International Film Festival to present the 2024 Volta Lifetime Achievement Award to film director, Steve McQueen.

He was first elected president in 2011 and was re-elected in 2018.

The Irish president, while head of state, has limited constitutional powers and is seen as a mostly ceremonial role.

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