Dr Tony Holohan 'taking time out' from work commitments as wife admitted for palliative care

Dr Tony Holohan has announced that he will be taking time out from his role as Chief Medical Officer of the Department of Health.

He made the shock announcement at the COVID-19 briefing tonight.

He said: "From today I'll be taking time out from all of my work commitments to be with my family.

"My wife, Emer, was diagnosed with mulitple myeloma, which is a form of blood cancer, in 2012.

"She's had a number of difficult years with the disease and was admitted for palliative care last Saturday.

"I want to give my energy, attention, and all of my time to Emer and to our two teenage children."

He added that he had informed Taoiseach Micheal Martin and Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly.

Dr Ronan Glynn will be taking on the role of Acting Chief Medical Officer for the Department.

Dr Holohan said: "As a husband and father and as a public health doctor  I am conscious we have been through some tough times together over the last number of months and many families across the country have been affected  by the course of Covid 19 suffering pain and the loss of love ones.

"I hope we all remain working together and continue to stay vigilant , keep our social distance and take personal responsibility or our own health in the first instance as ell as looking after our family members and friends and those we care about most.

"I would like to thank everyone for their onging support and understanding and respect for privacy and I would ask for this to continue."

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said, “I would like to thank Dr. Holohan on behalf of myself and the people of Ireland for helping to guide this country through the COVID-19 emergency. 

"His work, experience and briefings helped people to understand the gravity of the situation facing us, while his calmness reassured us that if we followed the guidelines and advice we would overcome these great challenges together.

“Every home in Ireland has come to know Dr. Tony Holohan. 

"His leadership during the pandemic has given us all confidence that the decisions being made are based on solid public health advice.  As a country we owe him and his family a great debt of gratitude”.