Thank you Dr Tony Holohan

THROUGHOUT the worrying initial phase of Coronavirus in Ireland, one man delivered updates in a calm, reassuring, measured way to the nation and that man was Tony Holohan. As Chief Medical Officer he rose to the occasion, delivering honest and frank assessments of where Ireland was at with the virus and advice to people as to how best protect themselves and others.

Through the months of April and May he never shied away from his duties, even when very difficult decisions were being taken and the fact that Ireland had the lowest current incidence of Coronavirus (Covid-19) in western Europe when he stepped down from the role to care for his wife, says it all.

Every so often in the course of history the right person is in the right place at the right time and that was Dr Holohan, who worked with politicians to help save lives.

He is a case in point and the nation will be forever grateful for his contribution during one of the most difficult periods in our recent history.

The fact Dr Holohan gave the nation so much of his time and expertise during the crisis, while shouldering the personal anguish of events in his personal life, is all the more remarkable. Everyone in the nation will agree that his legacy during Covid-19 is one of total service and dedication for the greater good of the general public.

Dr Holohon and his medical colleagues were (and continue to be) instrumental in helping to inform and advise people during the Covid-19 crisis.

Sometimes it’s easy to look back with the benefit of hindsight and imagine events as being less stressful than they actually were. But the Covid-19 pandemic proved devastatingly difficult for so many people, both collectively within our communities, and individually.

At a time when the nation needed guidance and reassurance the most, Dr Tony Holohan was foremost in delivering it to so many people. Thank you.