President Michael D Higgins says he will be ‘recovered’ in weeks after mild stroke
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President Michael D Higgins has said he will be “completely recovered” in a matter of weeks after revealing he suffered a mild stroke.
The 83-year-old was admitted to hospital in February after experiencing what was described at the time as a “mild transient weakness” but which he revealed on Wednesday was a mild form of stroke.
Speaking to media during a visit to Manchester, Mr Higgins said: “The prognosis for the future, I’m glad to tell you, is very good.
“In another couple of weeks I will be completely recovered.”
He said the stroke had affected his left side, including his hand and hip, and had exacerbated problems with his lower back but had not impacted on his work.
Mr Higgins added: “I cut back on my appearances at sports events and shaking hands with teams but I will be back pitchside again, I think within a matter of weeks.”
He also plans to travel to Africa and to the United Nations later in the year.
On Tuesday, the president accepted an honorary doctorate from the University of Manchester, where he undertook postgraduate studies in the 1960s and said he was instilled with a lifelong interest in migration.
Mr Higgins, who accepted the degree on behalf of “all migrants”, said there was evidence of “external influence” affecting anti-immigration sentiment in Ireland.
But he said while there were people trying to “work up” the issue, there was also huge support for migrants.
Mr Higgins added: “We’re in a difficult situation where you have widespread use of media which has no constraint on it, that you can say anything you like with impunity.
“That means that small incidents can be magnified as recruitment processes.”
Asked if he believed social media companies needed to be held to account more, he said: “I think there’s a huge lacuna there.”
Mr Higgins said he was very supportive of statements made by Tánaiste Micheal Martin, who travelled to the Middle East this week to push for a ceasefire in Gaza.
The president said: “I very, very much have no doubt whatsoever that there are clear breaches of international law, both in relation to the humanitarian side and other crimes.”
He added: “It is scandalous what’s happening and it breaks my heart.”
Mr Higgins is due to deliver the inaugural address in a new series of lectures called The John Kennedy Lecture Series at the University of Manchester on Wednesday evening.