AKIPRESS.COM - Michael D Higgins has been inaugurated for a second term as President of Ireland at a ceremony in Dublin Castle on Sunday, BBCreported.

Former presidents Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese were in attendance.

The Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Leo Varadkar and Tánaiste (deputy prime minister) Simon Coveney were also present.

President Higgins was re-elected in October with 56% of the vote.

All five of the candidates who ran against him also attended the event.

President Higgins made the Irish presidential declaration as he was sworn in for another seven years:

Christian, Jewish and Islamic religious representatives opened the inauguration ceremony with a prayer.

During his inaugural speech, President Higgins thanked those from different political parties and communities who supported his campaign.

"I want to thank you, the people of Ireland, for the honour you have again bestowed on me, an honour I accept with all the energy of mind and heart that is required for the trust your mandate has placed on me," he said.