Irish Examiner view: Mairead McGuinness's story highlights the value of rest and recuperation

A combination of circumstances led to Mairead McGuinness taking the break that, fortunately, led to the restoration of her health

Then European Commissioner Mairead McGuinness at the 2024 Fine Gael ard fheis in Galway. At the weekend, she told Brendan O'Connor on RTÉ Radio 1 about the illness that forced her to drop out of last year's presidential election. File picture: Dan Linehan

Former European Commissioner Mairead McGuinness revealed at the weekend that the illness which caused her to drop out of the presidential race last August was severe post-viral syndrome.

The debilitating condition left her physically drained, unable to sleep, and emaciated. The medical advice was for her to lie on the couch and do nothing for up to eight weeks.