Former President Barack Obama to accept Freedom of Dublin this week

Former U.S. President Barack Obama is expected to receive the Freedom of Dublin this week ahead of his event with Fintan O'Toole on Friday.

Lord Mayor of Dublin Ray McAdam said he expects Obama will accept the honours at a private ceremony at Mansion House on Thursday. He added that details are still being finalised with Obama's team.

"I expect the event to proceed this Thursday," said McAdam to The Irish Times today.

The Dublin City Council voted to bestow the honour on Barack and Michelle Obama in 2017 but the couple had not yet had the chance to officially accept it, as they had not visited Ireland since a brief state visit in 2011.

McAdam wrote to the Obamas in July with an invitation to hold a full council meeting to receive the award, which he said was recently accepted.

"The people of Dublin have long admired your leadership, your commitment to public service and your shared belief in the power of community, equality and democracy," wrote McAdam in his letter.

"It would be a great honour to formally welcome you both as Freeman and Freewoman of our city."

When he accepts it, Obama will join the 88 previous recipients of the award, alongside the likes of Greta Thunberg, Nelson Mandela, U2 and Mother Teresa.

The Freedom of the City of Dublin empowers recipients with a number of privileges, including being able to graze sheep on St. Stephen's Green.

The decision to bestow the honours on the Obamas has been met with backlash from some councillors, including People Before Profit's Conor Reddy, who requested McAdam re-examine the invitation.

"Many of today's global crises trace back to policy decisions made under President Obama," said Reddy in an open letter in July, listing military aid sent to Israel, expansions of drone warfare and controversial fiscal policies following the 2008 financial crisis.

"If we value democracy, respect for human life and international law, we should not be honouring Barack Obama."

If McAdam's invitation is not reconsidered, Reddy said he will table an emergency motion at the first full council meeting in September to revoke the honour.

It is unclear whether an emergency motion on the matter was tabled at the monthly council meeting on September 1 or at special council meetings on September 15 and 23.

Obama is visiting Dublin this week for An Evening with President Barack Obama in Conversation with Fintan O’Toole at 3Arena on September 26.