Mary Regan: Catherine Connolly puts political leaders on notice that she won't shy away from using her voice

"Michael D Higgins was well into his second term before he caused controversy with political discourse, the new president did it on day one"

""We can breathe a little and relax.""

"Beginning her inaugural address at Dublin Castle, President Catherine Connolly signalled to her guests in St Patrick's Hall that the tense parts of the formalities were over."

Catherine Connolly provoked political controversy immediately upon taking office, while Michael D. Higgins did not provoke similar controversy until well into his second term. Connolly began her inaugural address at Dublin Castle by telling guests in St Patrick's Hall, "We can breathe a little and relax." That remark signalled that the formal and tense portions of the ceremony had concluded. The early, pointed tone of Connolly's remarks contrasted with the later timing of controversy during Higgins' presidency and set an assertive tone from day one.

Read at Independent