'I was not aware of the protocol': Davis explains Castle absence

Mary Davis has said that she did not attend yesterday's formal declaration of the Presidency at Dublin Castle because she was not aware of the protocol involved.

The Independent presidential candidate, who has drawn criticism for her absence, said she did not realised that she was expected to attend the ceremony.

The Mayo woman said she now regrets not being there and hopes President-elect Michael D Higgins was not offended.

"I was genuinely unaware of the protocol around my duties to be there," Davis said.

"I thought that on Saturday… it was the stage for Michael D Higgins, for Sabina and for his family, and that other candidates were not involved in that."

Fine Gael's Gay Mitchell was also absent from the ceremony.