NI Health officials send message of support and compassion to Dr Tony Holohan

Dr Holohan has become a familiar figure to everyone across Ireland as part of the team at the fore of the battle against COVID-19 and through his frequent televised press briefings and updates.

In a statement issued yesterday, Dr Holohan said his wife Emer had been diagnosed with mutiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer, back in 2012 and was admitted to palliative care last Saturday.

Dr Holohan said he now wanted to devote his energy, attention “and all my time” to his wife and their children Clodagh and Ronan.

In his statement, he said: “As a husband and father, and as a public health doctor, I am conscious that we have all been through tough times together over the last number of months and many families across the country have been affected by the course of COVID-19, siffering pain and loss of loved ones.

“I hope that we can all remain working together to continue to stay vigilant, keep our social distance, and take personal responsibility for our own health, in the first instance, as well sas looking after our family members anf friends and those we care most about,” he added.

NI Minister Health Minister Robin Swann and Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride in a joint statement said: “Our thoughts are very much with Dr Tony Holohan, his wife Emer, their children and family circle at this time.

“We have worked very closely with Tony and his colleagues in the Republic of Ireland from the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic. We very much appreciate all their support, co-operation and friendship.

“This is devastating news. The family can be assured of the support and compassion of everyone across this island.”

A colleague of Dr Holohan, Dr Ronan Glynn, has been appointed Acting chief Medical Officer for the Republic of Ireland.