Former Taoiseach Enda Kenny has been diagnosed with cancer but expects to make a full recovery.
The former Fine Gael leader, 71, recently had an operation to remove tissue from under his arm.
However, he is confident he caught the cancer early on and is now "on the road to a full recovery".
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A spokesman for Mr Kenny said: "The former Taoiseach had an operation to remove cancer before Christmas.
"Thankfully he is in robust good health besides and is well on the road to a full recovery."
It is understood doctors have told him that his condition is under control and he has an "excellent" prognosis.
The Mayo native served as a TD from 1975 to 2020 and became the leader of Fine Gael in 2002. He went on to serve as Taoiseach for six years between 2011 and 2017.
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