Vatican’s McAleese ban ‘upset’ Higgins

President Michael D Higgins said he was “concerned and upset” when the Vatican barred former president Mary McAleese from taking part in a conference.

The ‘Why Women Matter’ conference was due to take place in the Holy See yesterday but organisers moved it to another location in Rome so Mrs McAleese and another barred speaker could take part.

“I have to say that as current president I was deeply concerned and upset at recent exclusions of her,” said President Higgins during an RTÉ radio interview that was recorded on Tuesday.