Van Lieshout breaks silence on Áras departure

A senior presidential adviser whose sudden resignation caused controversy has insisted her parting with Michael D Higgins was “amicable”.

Breaking her silence for the first time since walking out midway through her three-year contract, Mary Van Lieshout tried to play down the row. However, the former senior adviser to the head of state failed to directly address claims she quit the €103,000-a-year post in frustration at having to go through a more junior member of staff to gain access to the President.

Ms Van Lieshout, who took up a position with Goal last month, despite having 18 months of her contract with the president to run, insisted she left the Áras on friendly terms.