Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern suffered a broken leg after he slipped and fell down stairs.

The fall happened at about noon in north Dublin yesterday, although it is not clear whether Mr Ahern was in his constituency office or his home at the time.

His brother, councillor Maurice Ahern, last night confirmed that he was out of hospital but on crutches and was “sore”.

He said that “he seemed to be fine” but joked that he neglected to ask his brother if he had fallen, or if he was pushed.

A Fianna Fáil spokewoman said: “He has fractured his leg after falling down some stairs. It was an accident.”

It is reported that he will not miss the crucial Dáil vote on the medical card controversy tonight.