Michael D Higgins accuses Foreign Affairs officials of leaks in fresh criticism
Ireland breaking news: former president Michael D Higgins has accused officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs of leaking against him and misrepresenting his position during his 14 years in office. In a new interview, he also delivered strong criticism of the EU’s response to Gaza and said he would not have gone to Doonbeg to meet Donald Trump.
Story: Higgins levels fresh criticism
Speaking in a newspaper interview, Higgins said there were several instances where information was allegedly leaked against him by Department of Foreign Affairs staff. He pointed to fallout from remarks made before a 2013 visit to France, as well as criticism surrounding his decision not to attend a 2021 ceremony in Armagh marking the foundation of Northern Ireland.
Higgins said the issue was not limited to his own presidency, suggesting that both presidents and ministers had been affected by what he described as a culture of subtle leaking. He also said there were still respected officials in the department, but argued that it now needed to be more tightly controlled.
What happened?
The Department of Foreign Affairs declined to comment on Higgins’s claims. However, a senior official familiar with past dealings reportedly rejected his view and said the department had often protected him over the years.
The remarks are notable because the presidency has traditionally worked closely with the department on diplomatic matters. Higgins’s comments therefore raise questions about trust and internal relations at the highest levels of Irish public life.
Why it matters for Ireland news
This latest news Ireland story lands as political attention remains fixed on accountability, diplomacy and the role of State institutions. Higgins also broadened his criticism beyond domestic matters, calling the European Commission’s approach to Gaza “disastrous” and warning it had damaged the EU’s future.
He also said that if he were still president, meeting Donald Trump in Doonbeg during a possible September visit would not have been on his agenda, describing such a trip as a poor use of time.
- Higgins alleged repeated leaking by Foreign Affairs officials
- The department declined public comment
- A senior official disputed his version of events
- He also criticised the EU response to Gaza
Conclusion
For readers following Ireland news and the Ireland news blog, Higgins’s intervention is significant because it combines claims about State conduct with sharp criticism of international policy. As Ireland breaking news develops, the row may add pressure for closer scrutiny of how senior institutions handle sensitive political relationships.
