President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina were evacuated from Aras an Uachtarain in the dead of night following a bomb threat to the president’s home.

A full-scale emergency evacuation plan was activated following a phone threat late on Tuesday night, the Irish Daily Star reports.

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The newspaper reports Gardai had to wake President Higgins and the First Lady up and removed them from the residence in their nightclothes.

The alarm was raised following a call to the Samaritans helpline at around 10pm. The speaker reportedly warned; “There is a bomb set to go off in Aras an Uachtarain to kill the President.

“It’s set for 12.32am. IRA, IRA.”

Senior officers took the decision to wake President Higgins (72) up, as armed detectives were sent from local stations to Phoenix Park.

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Both President Higgins and Sabina were taken to another part of the Aras by armed guard where they waited until their security personnel received the all-clear.

The President was said to be ‘gracious’ for his security’s quick decision.

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Gardai are investigating the threat and believe it could have been a hoax by a young teenager.

Online Editors