President Michael D Higgins is to undergo knee surgery next week, it was announced today.
Mr Higgins (70) will fulfill a number of engagements in Limerick tomorrow and in Dublin on Monday.
On Tuesday, he will travel to Galway for knee repair surgery at the Bon Secours Hospital.
The operation is related to a previous injury Mr Higgins sustained last year leg injury when he slipped on wet tiles during an aid agency trip to Colombia.
He will return to Dublin early the following week to spend Christmas with his family at Áras an Uachtaráin.
The Áras said his programme of engagements, for the remainder of the Christmas period, will continue after his return.
