Government defends President Higgins decision to avoid NI centenary ceremony

President Michael D Higgins (Maxwells/PA)

The Government has defended the decision of President Michael D Higgins not to attend a cross-community service to mark the centenary of the formation of Northern Ireland.

The event, taking place at St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral in Armagh on Thursday, became the centre of a row last month after President Higgins declined an invitation to attend because he believed it was not politically neutral.