President delaying response to Orange Order parade invite

President Michael D Higgins is holding back from an immediate response to a public invitation to attend the only Orange Order parade in the Republic next year.

Grand Master of the Orange Lodge of Ireland Edward Stevenson issued the invitation at Saturday’s march in Rossnowlagh, Donegal. The President is a awaiting a formal invitation before he publicly reveals his response.

A spokesperson for the President said: “There is a formal process for invitations to the Áras. When invitations are received they are dealt with.”