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Michael D Higgins

Statement by NUI Galway President, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh

In congratulating President-elect, Michael D. Higgins, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, President of NUI Galway said:

On behalf of the NUI Galway community - staff, students and alumni - I’d like to extend warmest congratulations to Michael D. Higgins on his historic re-election to the highest office in our nation - the Presidency of Ireland.

As a distinguished alumnus, Michael D. has been associated with NUI Galway for almost 60 years, entering the University as a mature student in 1962 and serving as President of the Student Council. Generations of NUI Galway alumni remember Michael D. as an inspirational lecturer in Sociology & Politics and he continues his association with the University today, as Adjunct Professor at the University's Irish Centre for Human Rights.

Michael D.'s commitment to service in public life, serves as an exemplar to our students, following those who have held that office with distinction and honour.

On behalf of the University, I congratulate him on his historic re-election to the role of First Citizen and I offer best wishes to Michael D. and Sabina and every fulfilment in the years ahead.

Ráiteas ó Uachtarán OÉ Gaillimh, an tOllamh Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh

Thar ceann phobal OÉ Gaillimh - comhaltaí foirne, mic léinn agus alumni - ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas ó chroí a dhéanamh le Micheál D. Ó hUigínn as a bheith tofa an athuair chuig an oifig is airde inár náisiún - Uachtaránacht na hÉireann.

Mar alumnus a bhfuil meas tuillte aige, tá baint ag Micheál D. le OÉ Gaillimh le beagnach 60 bliain; tháinig sé anseo ar dtús mar mhac léinn aibí sa bhliain 1962 agus bhí sé ina Uachtarán ar Chomhairle na Mac Léinn. Tá cuimhne ag na glúnta d’alumni OÉ Gaillimh ar Mhicheál D. mar léachtóir spreagúil sa tSocheolaíocht & Polaitíocht agus tá ceangal aige fós leis an Ollscoil inniu, agus é ina Ollamh Taca in Ionad na hÉireann do Chearta an Duine anseo.

Is eiseamláir dár mic léinn an tiomantas atá léirithe ag Micheál D. do sheirbhís sa saol poiblí, agus é ag leanúint thraidisiún na hoifige sin le gradam agus le hionracas.

Thar ceann na hOllscoile, tréaslaím leis ar a atoghadh stairiúil chuig ról an Chéad Saoránaigh agus guím gach rath ar Mhicheál D. agus ar Sabina sna blianta amach romhainn.