LAST UPDATE | 7 Mar

PRESIDENT MICHAEL D Higgins has returned to Áras an Uachtaráin after spending a week in hospital. 

The President, aged 82, was admitted to St James’s Hospital last Thursday for precautionary tests after feeling unwell.

In a statement on Monday, Áras an Uachtaráin said that the results of medical tests that the President has undergone have all been positive and that he had experienced a “mild transient weakness”.

The Áras said today that President Higgins “thanked all of the staff at St James’s Hospital for the care which he received” during his stay. 

“Ireland is lucky to have such wonderful, dedicated and caring medical staff,” the statement said. 

The President continued to carry out his constitutional duties while in hospital and this week signed two pieces of legislation. 

He is due to meet with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar for a pre-scheduled meeting at Áras an Uachtaráin tomorrow afternoon. 

Last July, the President underwent a planned surgery to relieve back pain.