Dr Tony Holohan stepped aside from the role of Ireland's Chief Medical Officer at the beginning on July after his wife went into palliative care.
The physician had led the Department of Health since 2008 and spearheaded the country's initial fight against the spread of Covid-19 earlier in 2020.
Dr Holohan underwent non-coronavirus-related tests in hospital on April 1 which sprung little known Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn into the limelight.
Dr Glynn took over for the daily Covid-19 press briefing on that day and again on May 20 when Dr Holohan couldn't make it "at short notice".
And less than six weeks later he became a household name in Ireland after being announced as Acting Chief Medical Officer following Dr Holohan's decision to take a break from the tasking position due to his wife Emer's health issues.
Here is a profile on Dr Glynn.
Who is Dr Ronan Glynn?
Dr Glynn is a physiotherapist and medical doctor with a PhD in surgical oncology and postgraduate training in both surgery and Public Health Medicine.
He had been working as Deputy Chief Medical Officer and Head of the Health Protection Unit at the Department of Health in Ireland.
Where did he study?
The doctor graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Physiotherapy) from University College Dublin in 2002.
He then got a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Aberdeen in 2007.
Where is he from?
He is the eldest child of George and Mary Glynn from Lydican, Oranmore, Co Galway.
His parents own the well known Glynns Fruit & Veg which has been in business for over 50 years.
Is he married?
It's reported that Dr Glynn is married to RTE journalist Carla O'Brien.
Does he have any children?
Dr Glynn and his wife have two children and it's understood they live in Dublin.
How long has he been deputy chief?
Dr Ronan Glynn has been Dr Holohan's number two since 2018 and has been a regular face at the briefings since the pandemic began.
In Dr Holohan's absence he has chaired briefings and usually takes questions on the latest state of the virus in Ireland.
What does Dr Glynn do now?
Dr Glynn is the face of the Department of Health and briefs the public usually on Mondays and Thursdays.
He also chairs NPHET meetings and speaks to the Government in regards to what measures need to be implemented.
