"A constant presence in our lives..."

Dr Tony Holohan is set to be granted the Honorary Freedom of the City of Dublin. The Chief Medical Officer, who recently stepped aside from his duties to care for his wife, was nominated for the award yesterday. Dublin's new Lord Mayor, Hazel Chu, made the announcement last night on Twitter, writing that she is "honoured" to propose Dr Holohan for the award. "He has been a constant presence in our lives during Covid-19 and his calm manner in imparting advice gave reassurance to us all," she said. https://twitter.com/LordMayorDublin/status/1280192935334686730?s=20 Dr Holohan, the leader of the HSE's Covid-19 response team, announced last week that he is taking time away from his work to care for his wife, who has recently been admitted to palliative care. "My wife Emer was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer, in 2012," said Dr Holohan last week. "She has had a number of difficult years with her disease and was admitted for palliative care last Saturday, and I now want to give my energy and attention and all of my time to Emer and to our two teenage children Clodagh and Ronan. "Continue to stay vigilant and look after each other." Speakers from Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Sinn Féin, Social Democrats, Greens, Labour, and Independents supported Chu's nomination. Other people who have been awarded the Freedom of the City of Dublin include Nelson Mandela, John F Kennedy, Bill Clinton and Mother Teresa. The award will be conferred to Dr Holohan at a later date. Image via Lord Mayor of Dublin Twitter.