Life by President’s side has been wonderful, says Sabina Higgins

By Bairbre Holmes, PA

Sabina Higgins said it has “been wonderful” to be by her husband’s side as he served as President of Ireland, adding: “I was privileged to do it”.

The couple attended a Remembrance Sunday service at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin.

In one of his final acts as president, Mr Higgins laid a wreath on behalf of the people of Ireland during the ceremony.

His successor, Catherine Connolly, is due to be inaugurated on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters outside the cathedral, Mrs Higgins said she was “so grateful to the people of Ireland, and to all the goodness of the universe, that we’ve come through it and we’ve done our best and we’re very grateful and we’re full of love for the people”.

Also in attendance at the evensong service was Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald.

As Mr Higgins departed, she spoke to him briefly as he sat in his car.

Asked what they spoke about, Ms McDonald told the PA news agency that she “thanked him for all of his work”, adding she told the President he was “a hero for all of us and I wished him well”.

She added: “It’s an emotional moment, I think, because obviously his tenure is coming to an end, and he and Sabina have just been absolutely powerful and it’s an honour to be here with him on this Remembrance Sunday.”

She said it was important that, as the president of Sinn Féin, she attended the event.

“It’s very important that we remember, also that we respect each other,” she said.

“And in my opinion, as we build towards Irish reunification now in these coming years, it is all the more important that we see each other, hear each other, respect each other and include each other”.