Presidential Christmas message: Mr Higgins’ empathy for the homeless

He may live in the nearest thing we have to a palace, yet, in his annual Christmas message from the grandeur of Áras an Uachtaráin yesterday, President Higgins exuded more empathy and personal connection with Ireland’s homeless than many of our senior politicians.

He may live in the nearest thing we have to a palace, yet, in his annual Christmas message from the grandeur of Áras an Uachtaráin yesterday, President Higgins exuded more empathy and personal connection with Ireland’s homeless than many of our senior politicians.

In a moving address, Michael D reflected on the story of the nativity and “the birth of a child, in a temporary home, in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago”. He was clearly drawing parallels with contemporary Ireland and the growing number of people who are without a home this Christmas.