John Crown

John Crown (born 1 March 1957) is an Irish consultant oncologist and former politician.[2] He served in the Seanad from 2011 until 2016 but did not stand for re-election.

John Crown
Senator
In office
April 2011  April 2016
ConstituencyNational University of Ireland
Personal details
Born (1957-03-01) 1 March 1957
New York City, United States
NationalityIrish
Political partyIndependent
Spouse(s)Orla Murray[1]
Children4
Alma materUniversity College Dublin,
State University of New York

Background and education

Born in Brooklyn, New York to Irish emigrant parents,[3] Crown's family returned to Ireland in 1967,[4] and attended Synge Street CBS.[5] 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, and holds degrees in medicine, science and business administration.[6]

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.[7]

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][7] Crown, along with his colleagues developed translational breast cancer research.[8]

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".[9]

Seanad election

In March 2011 Crown announced that he would be standing for election to Seanad Éireann on the National University of Ireland (NUI) Panel. He stood as a non-party candidate, and if elected pledged to give his senator's salary to cancer research.[10] 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.[11] Offering the electorate what he called "fresh thinking, new abilities, and a different perspective" he was elected on the 24th and final count of the NUI Panel.[12]

Seanad bills

Since election to the Seanad Crown has brought three bills before the house, The Reporting of Lobbying in Criminal Legal Cases Bill 2011,[13] the Protection of Children's Health from Tobacco Smoke Bill 2012.,[14] and the Seanad Electoral Reform Bill 2013.[15]

The Reporting of Lobbying in Criminal Legal Cases Bill in legal cases was rejected by the government.[16]

The protection of Children's Health from tobacco smoke Bill 2012 was accepted by the government[17]

According to Crown, the Opus Dei prelature is mobilising within the Irish professions to influence efforts at Irish abortion law legalisation.[18]

References

  1. "Baby James is the jewel in the crown for John and Orla". Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  2. "John Crown". Oireachtas Members Database. 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. "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. http://www.ucd.ie/innovation/newsevents/tedxucd/2013/speakers/professorjohncrown/
  7. Culliton, Gary (1 April 2011). "Crown's Jewels of Wisdom". Irish Medical Times. Retrieved 28 April 2011.
  8. "Leading consultants get €6.5m to support dedicated research time". Dublin City University. 15 May 2007. Retrieved 28 April 2011.
  9. Reid, Lorna (12 November 2007). "Cancer specialist at centre of RTÉ row refuses to be gagged". Irish Independent. Retrieved 28 April 2011.
  10. Walshe, John (4 March 2011). "Cancer specialist Crown in bid for Seanad seat". Irish Independent. Retrieved 28 April 2011.
  11. Crown, John (24 April 2011). "Reilly can stop inefficiencies -- and save kids' lives -- overnight". Irish Independent. Retrieved 28 April 2011.
  12. De Bréadún, Deaglán (28 April 2011). "Norris elected after Seanad recount". The Irish Times. Retrieved 28 April 2011.
  13. "Reporting of Lobbying in Criminal Legal Cases Bill 2011". Houses of the Oireachtas. Retrieved 24 January 2013.
  14. "Protection of Children's Health from Tobacco Smoke Bill 2012". Houses of the Oireachtas. Retrieved 24 January 2013.
  15. "Seanad Electoral Reform Bill 2013" (PDF). Houses of the Oireachtas. Retrieved 19 March 2013.
  16. "Government to block "bizarre proposal" restricting lobbying of judges". TheJournal.ie. 21 September 2011.
  17. "Government approves car smoking ban draft laws". RTÉ.ie. 19 March 2013.
  18. 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. Retrieved 12 March 2013.
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