Tony Killeen (born 9 June 1952) is a former Irish

Fianna Fáil Fianna Fáil (, ; meaning 'Soldiers of Destiny' or 'Warriors of Fál'), officially Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party ( ga, audio=ga-Fianna Fáil.ogg, Fianna Fáil – An Páirtí Poblachtánach), is a conservative and Christian- ...

politician who served Minister for Defence from 2010 to 2011, Minister of State for Fisheries and Forestry from 2008 to 2010, Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources from 2007 to 2008 and Minister of State for Labour Affairs from 2004 to 2007. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Clare constituency from 1992 to 2011.

Early and personal life

Killeen was born in Corofin, County Clare, and educated at

St. Flannan's College Saint Flannan's College is an Irish co-educational secondary school located in Ennis, County Clare, which takes its name from the 7th century patron saint of the Dál gCais. Formerly an all-boys boarding school, the first girls class was ente ...

in Ennis and Mary Immaculate College in

Limerick Limerick ( ; ga, Luimneach ) is a western city in Ireland situated within County Limerick. It is in the province of Munster and is located in the Mid-West which comprises part of the Southern Region. With a population of 94,192 at the 2016 ...

. He worked as a national school

teacher A teacher, also called a schoolteacher or formally an educator, is a person who helps students to acquire knowledge, competence, or virtue, via the practice of teaching. ''Informally'' the role of teacher may be taken on by anyone (e.g. w ...

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 Council and served on that body until 1997. He was chairman from 1989–1991. At the 1992 general election he was elected to

Dáil Éireann Dáil Éireann ( , ; ) is the lower house, and principal chamber, of the Oireachtas (Irish legislature), which also includes the President of Ireland and Seanad Éireann (the upper house).Article 15.1.2º of the Constitution of Ireland read ...

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 at the 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, it emerged that Killeen's office had sent letters to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform advocating for the early release of a convicted child rapist. Killeen refused to resign as Minister of State. On 23 March 2010 Taoiseach Brian Cowen appointed Killeen as

Minister of Defence A defence minister or minister of defence is a cabinet official position in charge of a ministry of defense, which regulates the armed forces in sovereign states. The role of a defence minister varies considerably from country to country; in s ...

replacing Willie O'Dea who had resigned for committing perjury in front of the High Court. On 6 January 2011, Killeen announced his decision not to contest the 2011 general election, citing medical advice, 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.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Killeen, Tony 1952 births Living people Alumni of Mary Immaculate College, Limerick Fianna Fáil TDs Irish schoolteachers Local councillors in County Clare Members of the 27th Dáil Members of the 28th Dáil Members of the 29th Dáil Members of the 30th Dáil Ministers for Defence (Ireland) Ministers of State of the 29th Dáil Ministers of State of the 30th Dáil People educated at St Flannan's College Politicians from County Clare