John Crown

Irish medical practitioner and former politician (born 1957)

John Crown

Senator
In office
25 May 2011 – 8 June 2016
Constituency| National University
Personal details
Born|  (1957-03-01) 1 March 1957 (age 68)
New York City, United States
Political party| Independent
Spouse| Orla Murray[1]
Children| 4
Education|

* Synge Street CBS
* Terenure College

Alma mater|

* University College Dublin
* State University of New York

John Crown (born 1 March 1957) is an Irish consultant oncologist and former politician who served as a Senator for the National University constituency from 2011 to 2016.[2]

## Background and education

[edit]

Born in Brooklyn, New York to Irish emigrant parents,[3] Crown's family returned to Ireland in 1967,[4] and attended Synge Street CBS and Terenure College.[5][6] Crown received his medical training in Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States. A graduate of University College Dublin and the State University of New York[which?], and holds degrees in medicine, science and business administration.[7]

His postdoctoral training took place at Guy's Hospital in London and St. James's Hospital in Dublin. He completed his training in oncology in New York at Mount Sinai Medical Center and the Memorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center.[4] He held the post of assistant professor at Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University until 1993 when he returned to Ireland, becoming a consultant at two Dublin hospitals: St. Vincent's and St. Luke's. He holds professorships in cancer research from Dublin City University and University College Dublin.[8]

Crown has worked to reform cancer treatment in Ireland as chairman of molecular therapeutics for Cancer Ireland, and founder of the Ireland Co-operative Oncology Research Group (ICORG).[4][8] Crown, along with his colleagues developed translational breast cancer research.[9]

Crown became a vocal critic of the health policy of the Irish government led by Bertie Ahern and his successor Brian Cowen, and of the Minister for Health Mary Harney. In November 2007 he was involved in a controversy with the state broadcaster RTÉ when he was unexpectedly dropped from a discussion panel on The Late Late Show. The broadcaster denied that pressure had been applied by the government, but the decision was attacked by opposition politicians as "censorship and a denial of free speech".[10]

In May 2021, he was admitted as a member of the Royal Irish Academy.[11]

## Seanad election

[edit]

In March 2011 Crown announced that he would stand for election to Seanad Éireann in the National University constituency. He stood as a non-party candidate, and pledged to give his senator's salary to cancer research.[12] In his regular column in the Sunday Independent, Crown expressed hope that James Reilly, health minister in the new government elected in February 2011 would reform the health services.[13] Offering the electorate what he called "fresh thinking, new abilities, and a different perspective" he was elected on the 24th and final count for the National University constituency.[14]

## Seanad bills

[edit]

As a member of the 24th Seanad, Crown brought three bills before the house. The first was The Reporting of Lobbying in Criminal Legal Cases Bill 2011.[15] It was rejected by the government.[16] A second was the Protection of Children's Health from Tobacco Smoke Bill 2012.[17] It was accepted by the government[18] A third was the Seanad Electoral Reform Bill 2013.[19] It was rejected by the government.[20]

In 2013, Crown stated that Opus Dei prelature was mobilising within the Irish professions to influence efforts at Irish abortion law legalisation.[21]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Baby James is the jewel in the crown for John and Orla". Irish Independent. 24 April 2015. Archived from the original on 21 April 2016. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
2. ^ "John Crown". Oireachtas Members Database. Archived from the original on 7 November 2018. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
3. ^ Collins, Stephen (2011). Nealon's Guide to the 31st Dáil and 24th Seanad. Dublin: Gill & Macmillan. p. 209\. ISBN 9780717150595.
4. ^ a b c "About John Crown". John Crown. Archived from the original on 13 May 2011. Retrieved 28 April 2011.
5. ^ "Vocal critic of past health policy". Irish Times. 20 December 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
6. ^ "I'd shut down HSE and make everyone pay for health insurance". Irish Independent. 4 July 2013. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
7. ^ "Professor John Crown". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
8. ^ a b Culliton, Gary (1 April 2011). "Crown's Jewels of Wisdom". Irish Medical Times. Archived from the original on 8 April 2011. Retrieved 28 April 2011.
9. ^ "Leading consultants get €6.5m to support dedicated research time". Dublin City University. 15 May 2007. Archived from the original on 2 April 2012. Retrieved 28 April 2011.
10. ^ Reid, Lorna (12 November 2007). "Cancer specialist at centre of RTÉ row refuses to be gagged". Irish Independent. Retrieved 28 April 2011.
11. ^ "Admittance Day 2021". Royal Irish Academy. 21 May 2021. Archived from the original on 25 May 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
12. ^ Walshe, John (4 March 2011). "Cancer specialist Crown in bid for Seanad seat". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 5 March 2011. Retrieved 28 April 2011.
13. ^ Crown, John (24 April 2011). "Reilly can stop inefficiencies -- and save kids' lives -- overnight". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 26 April 2011. Retrieved 28 April 2011.
14. ^ De Bréadún, Deaglán (28 April 2011). "Norris elected after Seanad recount". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 28 April 2011.
15. ^ "Reporting of Lobbying in Criminal Legal Cases Bill 2011". Houses of the Oireachtas. Archived from the original on 31 October 2012. Retrieved 24 January 2013.
16. ^ "Government to block "bizarre proposal" restricting lobbying of judges". TheJournal.ie. 21 September 2011. Archived from the original on 27 January 2012. Retrieved 8 May 2012.
17. ^ "Protection of Children's Health from Tobacco Smoke Bill 2012". Houses of the Oireachtas. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 24 January 2013.
18. ^ "Government approves car smoking ban draft laws". RTÉ.ie. 19 March 2013. Archived from the original on 12 July 2015. Retrieved 19 March 2013.
19. ^ "Seanad Electoral Reform Bill 2013" (PDF). Houses of the Oireachtas. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 June 2013. Retrieved 19 March 2013.
20. ^ Oireachtas, Houses of the (15 December 2015). "Seanad Electoral Reform Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages – Seanad Éireann (24th Seanad) – Houses of the Oireachtas". Oireachtas.ie. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
21. ^ McDonald, Henry (12 March 2013). "Opus Dei accused of lobbying to prevent Irish abortion reform: Leading doctor and politician John Crown says secret Catholic sect is trying to prevent limited abortion being made legal". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 12 March 2016. Retrieved 12 March 2013.

## External links

[edit]

* Kathy Sheridan runs the rule over maverick medic John Crown, The Irish Times, 29 March 2016

* v
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« 23rd Seanad «   Members of the 24th Seanad (2011–2016)   » 25th Seanad »

* Cathaoirleach Paddy Burke (FG)
* Leader of the Seanad Maurice Cummins (FG)

Administrative Panel|

* Martin Conway (FG)
* Mark Daly (FF)
* Michael W. D'Arcy (FG)
* John Kelly (Lab)
* Denis Landy (Lab)
* Tom Sheahan (FG)
* Diarmuid Wilson (FF)

Agricultural Panel|

* Paul Bradford (FG, then RI)
* Paddy Burke (FG)
* Michael Comiskey (FG)
* James Heffernan (Lab, then SD)
* Paschal Mooney (FF)
* Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (SF)
* Brian Ó Domhnaill (FF)
* Denis O'Donovan (FF)
* Susan O'Keeffe (Lab)
* Pat O'Neill (FG)
* Jim Walsh (FF)

Cultural and Educational Panel|

* Thomas Byrne (FF)
* Deirdre Clune (FG)
* John Gilroy (Lab)
* Michael Mullins (FG)
* Labhrás Ó Murchú (FF)

Industrial and Commercial Panel|

* Colm Burke (FG)
* Paul Coghlan (FG)
* Jimmy Harte (Lab)
* Imelda Henry (FG)
* Marc MacSharry (FF)
* Catherine Noone (FG)
* Averil Power (FF, then Ind)
* Kathryn Reilly (SF)
* Mary White (FF)

Labour Panel|

* Terry Brennan (FG)
* David Cullinane (SF)
* Maurice Cummins (FG)
* Fidelma Healy Eames (FG)
* Cáit Keane (FG)
* Terry Leyden (FF)
* Marie Moloney (Lab)
* Tony Mulcahy (FG)
* Darragh O'Brien (FF)
* Ned O'Sullivan (FF)
* John Whelan (Lab)

Dublin University|

* Ivana Bacik (Lab)
* Sean Barrett (Ind)
* David Norris (Ind)

National University|

* John Crown (Ind)
* Rónán Mullen (Ind)
* Feargal Quinn (Ind)

Nominated by the Taoiseach|

* Eamonn Coghlan (Ind, then FG)
* Jim D'Arcy (FG)
* Aideen Hayden (Lab)
* Lorraine Higgins (Lab)
* Fiach Mac Conghail (Ind)
* Martin McAleese (Ind)
* Mary Moran (Lab)
* Mary Ann O'Brien (Ind)
* Marie-Louise O'Donnell (Ind)
* Jillian van Turnhout (Ind)
* Katherine Zappone (Ind)

Elected or appointed later|

* 2013 Hildegarde Naughton (FG)
* 2014 Gerard Craughwell (Ind)
* 2015 Máiría Cahill (Lab)

* FF: Fianna Fáil
* FG: Fine Gael
* Lab: Labour Party
* RI: Renua Ireland
* SD: Social Democrats
* SF: Sinn Féin
* Ind: Independent

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