President Higgins

MICHAEL D HIGGINS has opened a “new chapter” for Ireland, saying it was time to leave behind a “failed” era of frustration, cynicism and anger.

At his inauguration in Dublin Castle, he acknowledged the “pain” of a “wounded” society and promised a presidency of “transformation” and a move away from wealth-based values.

The ninth President urged citizens to participate in next year’s review of the Constitution “to reflect on where we have come from and on how we might see ourselves into the future”.