Sabina Higgins Letter to Irish Times calling for ceasefire on Ukraine

She hasn't retracted anything from the original statement.

It's inevitable that this will influence public thinking.

A lot of this stems from the fact that Irish people no longer want any more refugees arriving here.

Completely agree, as the old adage goes when you're explaining you're losing, and this is bottom of the barrel stuff.

As for the statement she released this evening, i am honestly astounded at the audacity of it, instead of acknowledging the public disquiet and backing down from the false equivalence she attached to both sides in the conflict, she has decided to double down and express 'dismay' at her subsequent treatment.

Right now i don't see how the President's position is tenable and expect a resignation in the coming days.

You still haven't stated how she is out of touch, you made vague references to timing..

Wouldn't you think Michael D. would put a bit of 'smacht' on Sabina? It is bad enough when an tUachtarán Ó hUigínn, oversteps the bounds of the Presidency and veers into the political. As the office of the President is supposed to be above that.

But it is even more farcical when a spouse of an elected representative (who herself is unelected) starts making political statements. And not only that, posting them on the Official Presidential Website.

I realise she is calling for peace but it was done in a really awkward manner. Sabina is not the Pope and cannot go around making pronouncements asking for peace.

In the manner she called for Peace it definitely had political undertones. Which would ripple both east and west of Ireland in particular. And it could place Ireland in an awkward position politically as some could erroneously associate Sabina's statements not only with Michael D. But with Ireland itself. Regardless of the issue itself, it appears to me that Sabina should get back in her box. Talk about vague apolitical stuff by all means, but she should not drag the Presidency of Ireland along with her.

Jayus, years ago you would hardly even have known there was a President. It was handy number, they would rarely be seen or heard. Now we have reached the level where spouses can go spouting opinions under the associated banner of 'President of Ireland', without actually being the President of Ireland.

Not sure that there will be a resignation. No cabinet member has commented on this mess yet. However, a presidential election would distract people from a lot of other things so it has its upside for FFG.

Regards...jmcc

It'll be 'the president's beard' next...

The FT covering it is International coverage.

That other link (businesslend) is just a fake news website that mangles content from real websites. Best to delete the link.

Regards...jmcc

I just read her letter. Absolutely sickening stuff. Not one word of condemnation for the Russian invasion. Disgraceful and shameful to see this coming out of the president of Ireland’s office (attempts to distance herself as a mere citizen are not tenable in this instance).

Thanks jmcc, I didn’t get a chance to check it out and did wonder.

Oh grow up and park the sanctimonious outrage FFS.