Cork freedom for President Higgins despite opposition

President Michael D Higgins is to get the Freedom of Cork despite severe criticism that the honour has become mired in politics and is being given out too often.

City councillors voted last night to support Labour Lord Mayor Catherine Clancy’s nomination to confer the honour on the former president of the Labour Party and former Labour minister later this year.

He will become the sixth former or sitting Irish president to receive the freedom of the city.