Tony Killeen
Encyclopedia
Tony Killeen is a former Irish
Fianna Fáil
politician. He was a Teachta Dála
(TD) for the Clare constituency from 1992 to 2011, and also served as Minister of Defence
from 2010–11.
, and educated at St. Flannan's College
, Ennis
and Mary Immaculate College
in Limerick
. He worked as a national school teacher
before entering into politics.
He is married to Lily O'Keeffe; they have five sons and live in Kilnaboy, County Clare.
and served on that body until 1997. He was chairman from 1989–1991. At the 1992 general election
he was elected to Dáil Éireann
for the Clare constituency for the first time and retained his seat at each subsequent election until his retirement in 2011.
Killeen has served on a number of committees, including the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Science, the Committee on Procedure and Privileges and the Committee on Members' Interests in Dáil Éireann.
In 2004 he was appointed as Minister of State
at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with special responsibility for Labour Affairs. In June 2007 he was appointed as Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources with special responsibility for Environment and Energy. In May 2008, he was appointed as Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food with special responsibility for Fisheries and Forestry
.
In January 2007, he was at the centre of a controversy when it became public that he had made representations to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on behalf of convicted criminals including a murderer.
On 23 March 2010 Taoiseach
Brian Cowen
appointed Killeen as Minister of Defence
replacing Willie O'Dea
who had resigned due to an affidavit controversy
.
On 6 January 2011, Killeen announced his decision not to contest the 2011 general election, citing medical advice as his reason, having been diagnosed with bowel cancer
in 2008. He resigned as Minister for Defence on 19 January 2011.
On retirement he received a lump sum of €221,000 and an annual pension of €69,000.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
politician. He was a Teachta Dála
Teachta Dála
A Teachta Dála , usually abbreviated as TD in English, is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas . It is the equivalent of terms such as "Member of Parliament" or "deputy" used in other states. The official translation of the term is "Deputy to the Dáil", though a more literal...
(TD) for the Clare constituency from 1992 to 2011, and also served as Minister of Defence
Minister for Defence (Ireland)
The Minister for Defence is the senior minister at the Department of Defence in the Government of Ireland. Under new arrangements this department is being merged with the Department of Justice over which Mr. Shatter will also preside....
from 2010–11.
Early and personal life
Killeen was born in Corofin, County ClareCounty Clare
-History:There was a Neolithic civilisation in the Clare area — the name of the peoples is unknown, but the Prehistoric peoples left evidence behind in the form of ancient dolmen; single-chamber megalithic tombs, usually consisting of three or more upright stones...
, and educated at St. Flannan's College
St. Flannan's College
Saint Flannan's College is an Irish secondary school located in Ennis, County Clare. Formerly an all-boys boarding school, the first girls class was entered in 2002 and in 2005 the boarding school was closed. In 2003 an extension which added over 20 new rooms to the college was completed...
, Ennis
Ennis
Ennis is the county town of Clare in Ireland. Situated on the River Fergus, it lies north of Limerick and south of Galway. Its name is a shortening of the original ....
and Mary Immaculate College
Mary Immaculate College, Limerick
Mary Immaculate College , also known as Mary I or MIC, is a College of Education and Liberal Arts, founded in 1898. It became academically linked to the University of Limerick in 1991. The college has approximately 3,500 students and 300 staff...
in Limerick
Limerick
Limerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, and the principal city of County Limerick and Ireland's Mid-West Region. It is the fifth most populous city in all of Ireland. When taking the extra-municipal suburbs into account, Limerick is the third largest conurbation in the...
. He worked as a national school teacher
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
before entering into politics.
He is married to Lily O'Keeffe; they have five sons and live in Kilnaboy, County Clare.
Political career
Killeen first became involved in politics in 1985 when he was elected to Clare County CouncilClare County Council
Clare County Council is the local authority which is responsible for County Clare in Ireland. The Council is responsible for Housing and Community, Roads and Transportation, Urban planning and Development, Amenity and Culture, and Environment....
and served on that body until 1997. He was chairman from 1989–1991. At the 1992 general election
Irish general election, 1992
The Irish general election of 1992 was held on Wednesday, 25 November 1992, almost three weeks after the dissolution of the Dáil on 5 November. However, after difficulties in forming a government the newly elected 166 members of the 27th Dáil did not assemble at Leinster House until 4 January 1993...
he was elected to Dáil Éireann
Dáil Éireann
Dáil Éireann is the lower house, but principal chamber, of the Oireachtas , which also includes the President of Ireland and Seanad Éireann . It is directly elected at least once in every five years under the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote...
for the Clare constituency for the first time and retained his seat at each subsequent election until his retirement in 2011.
Killeen has served on a number of committees, including the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Science, the Committee on Procedure and Privileges and the Committee on Members' Interests in Dáil Éireann.
In 2004 he was appointed as Minister of State
Minister of State (Ireland)
A Minister of State in Ireland is of non-Cabinet rank, attached to one or more Departments of State of the Government of Ireland....
at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with special responsibility for Labour Affairs. In June 2007 he was appointed as Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources with special responsibility for Environment and Energy. In May 2008, he was appointed as Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food with special responsibility for Fisheries and Forestry
Minister of State (with special responsibility for Fisheries and Forestry)
The Minister of State, who had special responsibility for Fisheries and Forestry, officially styled as Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food , was a junior ministerial post in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of the Government of Ireland.The junior...
.
In January 2007, he was at the centre of a controversy when it became public that he had made representations to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on behalf of convicted criminals including a murderer.
On 23 March 2010 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...
Brian Cowen
Brian Cowen
Brian Cowen is a former Irish politician who served as Taoiseach of Ireland from 7 May 2008 to 9 March 2011. He was head of a coalition government led by Fianna Fáil which until 23 January 2011 had the support of the Green Party and independent TDs.Cowen was also leader of Fianna Fáil from 7 May...
appointed Killeen as Minister of Defence
Minister for Defence (Ireland)
The Minister for Defence is the senior minister at the Department of Defence in the Government of Ireland. Under new arrangements this department is being merged with the Department of Justice over which Mr. Shatter will also preside....
replacing Willie O'Dea
Willie O'Dea
Willie O'Dea is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician and a Teachta Dála for the Limerick City constituency. He served as the Minister for Defence from September 2004 until 18 February 2010, when he resigned from his post due to controversy over a defamation case.-Early and private life:O'Dea was born...
who had resigned due to an affidavit controversy
Willie O'Dea affidavit controversy
The Willie O'Dea affidavit controversy or Brothelgate refers to a 2010 political controversy in Ireland surrounding former Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea....
.
On 6 January 2011, Killeen announced his decision not to contest the 2011 general election, citing medical advice as his reason, having been diagnosed with bowel cancer
Colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer, commonly known as bowel cancer, is a cancer caused by uncontrolled cell growth , in the colon, rectum, or vermiform appendix. Colorectal cancer is clinically distinct from anal cancer, which affects the anus....
in 2008. He resigned as Minister for Defence on 19 January 2011.
On retirement he received a lump sum of €221,000 and an annual pension of €69,000.