Election of Michael D Higgins as the Ninth President of Ireland

THE President of the Methodist Church in Ireland, Rev Ian D Henderson, has extended his congratulations to Michael D Higgins on his convincing victory in the 2011 Irish Presidential Election.

Rev Henderson said:

"Michael D Higgins is a man with a passion for human rights and social justice as well as a great concern for the creative and artistic life of Ireland.

Far from being the conservative choice for Áras an Úachtaráin, Michael D will, I am sure, be a courageous and involved President, acting as an ambassador for an Ireland which not only seeks to free itself from economic turmoil, but which cares about the emotional, imaginative and spiritual needs of its people.

I am delighted to congratulate him on his appointment as the ninth President of Ireland, and extend my good wishes to him, his wife and children.

I look forward to engaging with President Higgins on matters of social justice and responsibility and seeing how the churches can continue to interact with the state to aid Ireland in these difficult times.

I also look forward to seeing how he intends to build on the work done by President MacAleese and her husband, Senator Martin MacAleese, to help bring a lasting peace and a true sense of community dialogue in Northern Ireland."

ENDS

Notes to Editors
Rev Ian D Henderson is the President of the Methodist Church in Ireland and Superintendent Minister of Donegal Town Methodist Church.
Rev Henderson will be participating in the Presidential Inauguration Ceremony in Dublin Castle on November 11th, 2011.

For further information and to arrange interviews with Rev Henderson, contact Rev. Roy Cooper, Communications Officer on +44(0)28 91815959 07710 945104 or by email