A Mid Ulster councillor has renewed her call for a State visit to the district to be arranged with the Office of the new President of Ireland, Catherine Connolly.

Councillor Deirdre Varsani (Sinn Féin) had called for an invitation to be extended to the new President of Ireland at the October 23 meeting of Mid Ulster District Council, by way of an amendment to a motion praising the contribution of the former President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins.

However, almost two months on at the December council meeting, the Dungannon DEA representative expressed her concern that no progress appeared to have been made in relation to her request.

Cllr Varsani’s request had been supported at the October meeting by a majority of Mid Ulster councillors – albeit with no meeting of minds between Nationalists and their Unionist counterparts on whether the President represents the whole of the island of Ireland, or simply the Republic.

Councillor Deirdre Varsani. Photo: Mid Ulster District Council

placeholder image — Councillor Deirdre Varsani. Photo: Mid Ulster District Council

Howdens trade-only kitchen supplier opens new depot in Cookstown creating six jo...

Cllr Varsani said: “In relation to the absence of correspondence, we don’t seem to have had any confirmation of a letter sent or received on foot of the amendment that I proposed, inviting President Connolly to visit the Mid Ulster area as an honoured guest.

“I wondered if, for next month’s meeting, that that is at least reported back on.”

Council Chair, DUP Councillor Frances Burton, confirmed that no response had been received from the President’s Office ahead of the December 18 meeting.

Catherine Connolly was elected as the tenth President of Ireland on October 25, 2025.