News

Ireland's CMO steps aside to care for wife

Ireland's Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan is stepping aside to care for his wife.
Ireland's Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan is stepping aside to care for his wife. Ireland's Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan is stepping aside to care for his wife.

Ireland's chief medical officer, who helped spearhead the battle against coronavirus, is stepping aside to care for his terminally ill wife.

Dr Tony Holohan has been the Government's key adviser and at the forefront of public health messaging on combating the infection.

Speaking on Friday he said his wife, Emer Feely, who is also a doctor, was diagnosed with blood cancer in 2012 and had been admitted for palliative care last Saturday.

Dr Holohan said: "A plan has been put in train for others to take over responsibility for different aspects of my role."

His deputy, Dr Ronan Glynn, will take over responsibility on an acting basis.

"As a husband and father and as a public health doctor, I am conscious that we have been through tough times", Dr Holohan added.