Peter Robinson attends Irish Open

Northern Ireland’s First Minister was hospitalised with heart condition this week

Northern Ireland’s First Minister Peter Robinson arrives at the course Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Royal County Down Golf Clubafter he was discharged from hospital yesterday, four days after suffering a suspected heart attack. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Northern Ireland’s First Minister Peter Robinson arrives at the course Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Royal County Down Golf Clubafter he was discharged from hospital yesterday, four days after suffering a suspected heart attack. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Northern Ireland's First Minister Peter Robinson is attending the Irish Open golf tournament at Royal Co Down after being hospitalised for a heart condition earlier this week.

It is the DUP leader's first public engagement since he was discharged from the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast on Friday.

Mr Robinson (66) was taken to the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald on Monday and later transferred to the Royal's cardiac unit with a suspected heart attack.

He underwent a procedure at the Royal and was assessed by doctors before being allowed home yesterday.

READ SOME MORE

On Twitter today a relaxed looking Mr Robinson wrote: "Having a break at the #DDFIrishOpen with Ian Webb the Chairman of the Irish Open organising committee. #jobwelldone "

There was speculation finance minister Arlene Foster would assume the role of acting First Minister while Mr Robinson recovers but the DUP has said it has no plans for this.

Mr Robinson, who has been First Minister since 2008, is understood to be reducing his workload during the coming weeks but has said he will attend the Stormont House talks on Tuesday.