Sir John Keane, 5th Baronet
Encyclopedia
Sir John Keane, 5th Baronet (3 June 1873 – 30 January 1956), was an Irish barrister and politician. He was educated at Clifton College
and Royal Military Academy Woolwich. He succeeded his father as 5th Baronet
in 1892. He was a senator in the upper house
of the Irish parliament. He was also a director of the Bank of Ireland
. His home in Cappoquin was burned in reprisal for his being a senator.
Senate (Seanad Éireann
), and served a term of 12 years until 1934. He was nominated by the President of the Executive Council
on 6 December 1922. The First Seanad was abolished in 1936 and its last session was on 19 May in that year.
From 27 April 1938 to 22 July 1938 he was a Senator in the Second Seanad
, nominated by the Taoiseach
. From 7 September 1938 to 14 July 1943 he was a Senator in the Third Seanad, nominated by the Taoiseach. From 8 September 1943 to 5 July 1944 he was a Senator in the Fourth Seanad, again nominated by the Taoiseach.
electrification scheme, describing it as "the poisonous virus of nationalisation".
: "That, in the opinion of Seanad Éireann
, the Censorship of Publications Board
appointed by the Minister for Justice under the Censorship of Publications Act, 1929
, has ceased to retain public confidence, and that steps should be taken by the Minister to reconstitute the board." and sparked four days of fierce debate, carrying over to 2, 3, and concluding on 9 December 1942.
He quoted extensively from one book The Tailor and Ansty by Eric Cross, which was banned in Ireland soon after its first publication in that year. The Editor of Debates excluded the quotation from the Official Report; the entry states only: "The Senator quoted from the book".
At the end of the debate and much discussion in the public press, his point made, Sir John Keane sought leave to withdraw the motion. The question “That leave be given by the Seanad to withdraw the motion, item No. 2, on the Order Paper” was put and negatived. The question on the main motion was then duly put and declared negatived. However Senators claimed for a division, and the motion was defeated: Tá (for) 2 votes - Sir John Keane and Joseph Johnston - Nil (against) 34 votes.
on 30 March 1920.
Clifton College
Clifton College is a co-educational independent school in Clifton, Bristol, England, founded in 1862. In its early years it was notable for emphasising science in the curriculum, and for being less concerned with social elitism, e.g. by admitting day-boys on equal terms and providing a dedicated...
and Royal Military Academy Woolwich. He succeeded his father as 5th Baronet
Baronet
A baronet or the rare female equivalent, a baronetess , is the holder of a hereditary baronetcy awarded by the British Crown...
in 1892. He was a senator in the upper house
Upper house
An upper house, often called a senate, is one of two chambers of a bicameral legislature, the other chamber being the lower house; a legislature composed of only one house is described as unicameral.- Possible specific characteristics :...
of the Irish parliament. He was also a director of the Bank of Ireland
Bank of Ireland
The Bank of Ireland is a commercial bank operation in Ireland, which is one of the 'Big Four' in both parts of the island.Historically the premier banking organisation in Ireland, the Bank occupies a unique position in Irish banking history...
. His home in Cappoquin was burned in reprisal for his being a senator.
Military Career
He was commissioned into the Royal Field Artillery 17 June 1883; served in South Africa during the Boer War (mentioned in despatches, London Gazette 10 September 1901, Queen's South Africa Medal). During World War One he was mentioned in despatches, awarded the Distinguished Service Order (London Gazette 14 January 1916) and the French Legion of Honour (London Gazette 14 July 1917). He ended the war as a Lieutenant-Colonel in the Royal Tank Corps.Senate career
From 11 December 1922 he was a Senator in the First Irish Free StateIrish Free State
The Irish Free State was the state established as a Dominion on 6 December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed by the British government and Irish representatives exactly twelve months beforehand...
Senate (Seanad Éireann
Seanad Éireann (Irish Free State)
Seanad Éireann was the upper house of the Oireachtas of the Irish Free State from 1922–1936. It has also been known simply as the Senate, or as the First Seanad. The Senate was established under the 1922 Constitution of the Irish Free State but a number of constitutional amendments were...
), and served a term of 12 years until 1934. He was nominated by the President of the Executive Council
President of the Executive Council of the Irish Free State
The President of the Executive Council of the Irish Free State was the head of government or prime minister of the Irish Free State which existed from 1922 to 1937...
on 6 December 1922. The First Seanad was abolished in 1936 and its last session was on 19 May in that year.
From 27 April 1938 to 22 July 1938 he was a Senator in the Second Seanad
Seanad Éireann
Seanad Éireann is the upper house of the Oireachtas , which also comprises the President of Ireland and Dáil Éireann . It is commonly called the Seanad or Senate and its members Senators or Seanadóirí . Unlike Dáil Éireann, it is not directly elected but consists of a mixture of members chosen by...
, nominated by the Taoiseach
Taoiseach
The Taoiseach is the head of government or prime minister of Ireland. The Taoiseach is appointed by the President upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas , and must, in order to remain in office, retain the support of a majority in the Dáil.The current Taoiseach is...
. From 7 September 1938 to 14 July 1943 he was a Senator in the Third Seanad, nominated by the Taoiseach. From 8 September 1943 to 5 July 1944 he was a Senator in the Fourth Seanad, again nominated by the Taoiseach.
Shannon electrification scheme
In 1925 he was a major opponent of the ShannonShannon River
Shannon River may refer to:*River Shannon, Ireland*Shannon River, Minnesota*Shannon River , A river in Western Australia....
electrification scheme, describing it as "the poisonous virus of nationalisation".
Censorship of publications
In 1942 he was involved in the first occasion on which the Irish Senate censored itself. On 18 November 1942 Sir John Keane moved in the SeanadSeanad Éireann
Seanad Éireann is the upper house of the Oireachtas , which also comprises the President of Ireland and Dáil Éireann . It is commonly called the Seanad or Senate and its members Senators or Seanadóirí . Unlike Dáil Éireann, it is not directly elected but consists of a mixture of members chosen by...
: "That, in the opinion of Seanad Éireann
Seanad Éireann
Seanad Éireann is the upper house of the Oireachtas , which also comprises the President of Ireland and Dáil Éireann . It is commonly called the Seanad or Senate and its members Senators or Seanadóirí . Unlike Dáil Éireann, it is not directly elected but consists of a mixture of members chosen by...
, the Censorship of Publications Board
Censorship in the Republic of Ireland
Ireland rarely exercises censorship though the state retains wide-ranging laws which allow for it, including specific laws covering films, advertisements, newspapers and magazines, as well as terrorism and pornography...
appointed by the Minister for Justice under the Censorship of Publications Act, 1929
Censorship in the Republic of Ireland
Ireland rarely exercises censorship though the state retains wide-ranging laws which allow for it, including specific laws covering films, advertisements, newspapers and magazines, as well as terrorism and pornography...
, has ceased to retain public confidence, and that steps should be taken by the Minister to reconstitute the board." and sparked four days of fierce debate, carrying over to 2, 3, and concluding on 9 December 1942.
He quoted extensively from one book The Tailor and Ansty by Eric Cross, which was banned in Ireland soon after its first publication in that year. The Editor of Debates excluded the quotation from the Official Report; the entry states only: "The Senator quoted from the book".
At the end of the debate and much discussion in the public press, his point made, Sir John Keane sought leave to withdraw the motion. The question “That leave be given by the Seanad to withdraw the motion, item No. 2, on the Order Paper” was put and negatived. The question on the main motion was then duly put and declared negatived. However Senators claimed for a division, and the motion was defeated: Tá (for) 2 votes - Sir John Keane and Joseph Johnston - Nil (against) 34 votes.
National Portrait Gallery
The UK's National Portrait Gallery includes three photographic portraits of Sir John Keane taken by BassanoBassano
-Places:*Communes in Italy:**Bassano Bresciano, in the Province of Brescia**Bassano del Grappa, in the Province of Vicenza**Bassano in Teverina, in the Province of Viterbo**Bassano Romano, in the Province of Viterbo**San Bassano, in the Province of Cremona...
on 30 March 1920.