Ryan Tubridy paid a lovely tribute to Dr Tony Holohan after the Chief Medical Officer announced he was taking a step back from his duties to care for his terminally ill wife.
The RTE presenter sang Holahan's praises on his radio show this morning, saying "we can only wish him well, wish his family well."
Holohan announced last night he would be stepping back from his role to be there for his family as his wife Emer, who has cancer, has been admitted to palliative care.
In Holahan's absence Dr Ronan Glynn has been appointed as Acting Chief Medical Officer.
Tubs said: "Like everyone else I think in the country last night I got quite a fright when I saw the headline that told us that Dr Tony Holohan was stepping aside for now to mind his wife and two children.
"I wasn't overly familiar with Tony Holohan's work before he came to the forefront of the Covid pandemic story, but within days we seemed to realise we had somebody who had our back and somebody who was able to guide us.
"He was calm - we needed calm. He was clear and we needed clarity. He was concise when we needed it most. He was coherent in a fog of war and information and he was kind, he did it in a gentle way to guide us through these dark times."
Ryan continued: "I had the pleasure of talking to him a couple of times on the Late Late Show when we were in a very dark corner.
"He always had the country's back, I can tell you that.
"He still does, he's stepping aside, he's not stepping off the stage forever and I look forward to his return to the national stage, but in no hurry.
"I wish him and Emer and the children all the very best."
