Ronan Glynn, Ireland’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer, has announced he will leave his position in the civil service at the end of the month. 

During the darkest days of the pandemic, Dr Glynn was a constant presence by the side of Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan and became a reassuring presence on social media - dishing out facts and medical advice. 

Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan and Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Ronan Glynn, are seen at a Department of Health briefing in April 2020. Picture by: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie

In a tweet, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: 

“Wish you all the best, Ronan Glynn, as you get ready to step down as Deputy CMO.

“Thank you for your unstinting, dedicated and tireless work throughout the pandemic.

“Your calm demeanor and knowledge [were] so important to the Irish people during our national fight against COVID-19.”

Dr Glynn has served as Deputy CMO since 2018; he studied medicine at the University of Aberdeen and subsequently received a PhD in surgical oncology from NUI Galway. 

Main image: Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn during a press conference at Department of Health in Dublin after the first confirmed case of Covid-19 in the Irish Republic.