ByDANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD

Irish President Michael D Higgins was hospitalized overnight in Dublin after he was diagnosed with a localized infection, Irish media reported on Monday.

The 84-year-old spent the night in St. James's Hospital in Dublin on Sunday, where he started a course of antibiotics.

A spokesperson said on Monday that Higgins’s medical team “noted a significant improvement” since he began antibiotics and “the president has agreed to remain in hospital to continue the course of antibiotics."

Higgins spent several days at St James's Hospital last year as a precaution to monitor his blood pressure, according to RTE.

President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins arrives to address the ''Summit of the Future'' in the General Assembly Hall at United Nations Headquarters in New York City, US, September 22, 2024.
President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins arrives to address the ''Summit of the Future'' in the General Assembly Hall at United Nations Headquarters in New York City, US, September 22, 2024. (credit: REUTERS/David Dee Delgado)

Catherine Connolly to take presidency 

Higgins will remain president until Catherine Connolly's inauguration on November 11.

Connolly, an independent TD (member of Irish parliament) secured 914,143 first preference votes (63%), but the election saw an unprecedented 213,738 spoiled votes.