Ireland's President had a 'mild stroke', was hospitalized in February

DUBLIN, Ireland: In February, President Michael D Higgins experienced a "mild stroke" that led to his hospitalization for a week, as revealed in a recent interview.

Although initially described as a mild transient weakness by his office, President Higgins clarified that it was indeed a mild stroke. Fortunately, it did not impact his cognitive abilities but affected the motor side, particularly on his left-hand side.

President Higgins, who celebrated his 83rd birthday last week, swiftly resumed his official duties upon his discharge.

"I am fine now. What I had was a form of mild stroke. It did not affect my cognitive abilities. It affected simply my motor side, which was on the left-hand side," President Higgins told The Irish Times in his first interview since the hospitalization.

He mentioned that while his left hand has fully recovered, the stroke exacerbated existing issues in his lower back, which he plans to address in the coming week.

Scheduled to conclude his second and final seven-year term in the largely ceremonial role next year, President Higgins remains committed to fulfilling his duties despite the health setback.