A male patient who recently returned from the north of Italy has been confirmed as the first coronavirus case here.
The Department of Health says the man is receiving "appropriate medical care" in a healthcare setting rather than self-isolating at home.
Disease control experts at the HSE are working to identify who he's been in contact with since coming to Ireland.
Dr Tony Holohan, chief medical officer with the Department of Health, says the health service has been preparing for this moment for months:
