Tom Clonan

Last updated

Senator
Tom Clonan
Tom Clonan 2022 (cropped).jpg
Clonan in 2022
Senator
Assumed office
5 April 2022
Profession
Website tomclonan.ie
Military service
AllegianceFlag of Ireland.svg  Ireland
Branch/service Badge of the Irish Defence Forces.svg Army
Years of service1989–2000
Rank IE-Army-OF2.png Captain
Battles/wars UNIFIL

Thomas Martin Clonan is an Irish senator, security analyst, author and retired Irish Army Captain. He was elected to Seanad Eireann in March 2022 in the 2022 Dublin University by-election. [1]

Contents

Military career

Clonan grew up in Finglas, Dublin and attended St Kevin's College, Dublin school in Ballygall. He completed a Bachelor in Education degree at Trinity College Dublin, graduating in 1987, [2] before joining the Irish Army as a cadet in 1989.

In 1995, Clonan deployed to South Lebanon as an officer commanding Irish troops under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mission in that country. Clonan's deployment to Lebanon coincided with the Israeli Operation Grapes of Wrath against Hezbollah which culminated in the massacre of refugees at the village of Qana in April 1996. Clonan has spoken about his experiences of conflict and trauma in the RTÉ documentary Peacekeepers (2016) and in his first book Blood, Sweat and Tears. [3] He was also an OSCE election monitor in Bosnia during the Dayton Agreement in 1996. In this role, Clonan was based in the Serb-held town of Prijedor. Back at home, he completed a master's degree in communications at the Dublin City University (DCU) and joined the Defence Forces Press Office (DFPO) as a press officer. [4]

Research on female personnel in the Defence Forces

Between 1996 and 2000 Clonan was given formal written sanction by the Chief of Staff and the Director of Training at Defence Forces Headquarters to undertake a PhD at DCU as the first equality audit of the Irish military, titled "The Status and Roles Assigned Female Personnel in the Permanent Defence Forces". [5] The findings revealed a catalogue of discrimination, bullying, sexual harassment and assault within the Irish Defence Forces against female soldiers and led to an independent government inquiry which resulted in an overhaul in the workplace policies of the DF and the implementation of recommendations arising from the inquiry to protect equality within the Irish armed forces. [6] [7] Clonan was the subject of 'Whistleblower Reprisal' (as cited by Transparency International, Ireland) from senior officers for whistleblowing. [8]

He retired from the Defence Forces in 2000.

Academic and media work

Clonan lectures at the Technological University Dublin (TUD) School of Media in the fields of Ethics, Journalism, Political Communication, Public Affairs and Research Methodology. [7]

He was a security analyst for The Irish Times from the September 11 attacks in 2001 to 2016, reporting and commenting on various world events involving defence, intelligence, terrorism and international relations for various news organisations. [9] He is currently a security analyst and columnist for Irish online news platform, TheJournal.ie (2016 to date). [10]

He is a Fellow of the US-based Armed Forces & Society publication. [6]

Clonan's young son suffers from a rare neuromuscular disease, and as a result Clonan has campaigned on behalf of children and young people in Ireland with disabilities and brought attention to the effects austerity has had on funding for essential services to assist people with disabilities. [7]

He is the author of two best-selling books, Blood, Sweat and Tears (2012) and Whistleblower, Soldier, Spy (2013). [11]

In November 2019, Clonan was recognised by the Irish military authorities for his PhD research which helped transform the culture of the Irish Armed Forces with regard to Equality, Diversity and Dignity in the Workplace. Clonan was formally acknowledged and thanked for his service and contribution to the Defence Forces by the Chief of Staff, Vice Admiral Mark Mellett at the Military College, Curragh Camp in November 2019. [12] [13]

Political career

Clonan ran for election to the 25th Seanad in 2016 for the Dublin University constituency, but was unsuccessful. Clonan ran again in 2020, increasing his vote but the incumbent senators retained their seats.

He stood again in the 2022 Dublin University by-election, [14] beating Maureen Gaffney on the sixteenth count. [15] [1]

Works

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Dublin</span> University in Dublin, Ireland, founded 1592

The University of Dublin, corporately designated the Chancellor, Doctors and Masters of the University of Dublin, is a university located in Dublin, Ireland. It is the degree-awarding body for Trinity College Dublin. It was founded in 1592 when Queen Elizabeth I issued a charter for Trinity College as "the mother of a university", thereby making it Ireland's oldest operating university. It was modelled after the collegiate universities of Oxford and of Cambridge, but unlike these other ancient universities, only one college was established; as such, the designations "Trinity College" and "University of Dublin" are usually synonymous for practical purposes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dublin City University</span> University in Ireland, founded 1975 as NIHE Dublin

Dublin City University is a university based on the Northside of Dublin, Ireland. Created as the National Institute for Higher Education, Dublin in 1975, it enrolled its first students in 1980, and was elevated to university status in September 1989 by statute.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ivana Bacik</span> Leader of the Irish Labour Party

Ivana Catherine Bacik is an Irish Labour Party politician who has been Leader of the Labour Party since 24 March 2022 and a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Dublin Bay South constituency since winning a by-election on 9 July 2021. Bacik previously served as Leader of the Labour Party in the Seanad from 2011 to 2021, and a Senator for the Dublin University constituency from 2007 to 2021. She previously served as Deputy leader of Seanad Éireann from 2011 to 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frances Fitzgerald (politician)</span> Irish Fine Gael politician (b. 1950)

Frances Fitzgerald is an Irish politician who has been a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from Ireland for the Dublin constituency since July 2019. She is a member of Fine Gael, part of the European People's Party. She previously served as Tánaiste from 2016 to 2017, Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation from June 2017 to November 2017, Minister for Justice and Equality from 2014 to 2016, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs from 2011 to 2014 and Leader of Fine Gael in the Seanad from 2007 to 2011. She served as a Teachta Dála (TD) from 1992 to 2002 and 2011 to 2019. She was also a Senator for the Labour Panel from 2007 to 2011.

Dublin University is a university constituency in Ireland, which currently elects three senators to Seanad Éireann. Its electorate comprises the undergraduate scholars and graduates of the University of Dublin, whose sole constituent college is Trinity College Dublin, so it is often also referred to as the Trinity College constituency. Between 1613 and 1937 it elected MPs or TDs to a series of representative legislative bodies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Owen Sheehy-Skeffington</span> Irish academic and politician

Owen Lancelot Sheehy-Skeffington was an Irish university lecturer and senator. The son of pacifists, feminists and socialists Francis and Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington, he was politically likeminded and as a member of the Irish Senate was praised as a defender of civil liberty, Democracy, separation of church and state, freedom of speech, women's rights, minority rights and many other liberal values.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darragh O'Brien</span> Irish Fianna Fáil politician (b. 1974)

Darragh O'Brien is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who has served as Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage since June 2020. He has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Dublin Fingal constituency since the 2016 general election, and previously from 2007 to 2011 for the Dublin North constituency. He previously served as a Senator for the Labour Panel from 2011 to 2016.

Maureen Gaffney is an Irish clinical psychologist, broadcaster, writer and columnist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alex White (politician)</span> Irish former politician (b. 1958)

Alex White is an Irish lawyer and a former Labour Party politician. Since January 2023 he has been Director General of the Institute of International and European Affairs, a think-tank based in Dublin. White served as Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources from 2014 to 2016, Minister of State for Primary Care from 2012 to 2014 and Leader of the Labour Party in the Seanad 2007 to 2011. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Dublin South constituency from 2011 to 2016. He was a Senator for the Cultural and Educational Panel from 2007 to 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hugo MacNeill (rugby union)</span> Rugby player

Hugh Patrick MacNeill OBE, commonly known as Hugo MacNeill, is a former rugby union player who played for Ireland, Leinster, the French Barbarians and the British and Irish Lions during the 1980s. During the late 1970s he also played soccer for University College Dublin and Dublin University. After retiring from sport, MacNeill went on to serve as a director for Goldman Sachs. He has also worked as a rugby pundit for TV3 and BBC Radio 5 Live.

Theodore Conyngham Kingsmill Moore was an Irish judge, politician and author.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Katherine Zappone</span> American-born Irish politician (b. 1953)

Katherine Zappone is an American-Irish independent politician who served as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs from May 2016 to June 2020. She was a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Dublin South-West constituency from 2016 to 2020. She previously served as a Senator from 2011 to 2016, after being nominated by the Taoiseach.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marie-Louise O'Donnell</span> Irish academic, later broadcaster and politician

Marie-Louise O'Donnell is an Irish academic, and later broadcaster and politician, who served as a Senator from 2011 to 2020, after being nominated by the Taoiseach. She played a key role in the arts at Dublin City University over a 23-year period, including in the launch of the Helix cultural centre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trevor West</span> Irish politician and academic

Timothy Trevor West was an Irish mathematician, academic and politician.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alice-Mary Higgins</span> Irish politician (born 1975)

Alice-Mary Higgins is an Irish Independent politician who has served as a Senator for the National University since April 2016. She became the leader of the Civil Engagement group in the 25th Seanad. She was the campaigns and policy officer at the National Women's Council of Ireland, and a board member of the European Women's Lobby.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neale Richmond</span> Irish Fine Gael politician (born 1983)

Neale Richmond is an Irish Fine Gael politician who has served as Minister of State since 2023. He has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Dublin Rathdown constituency since the 2020 general election. He previously served as a Senator for the Labour Panel from 2016 to 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lynn Ruane</span> Irish independent politician

Lynn Ruane is an Irish politician who has served as an Independent Senator for the Dublin University constituency in Seanad Éireann since April 2016. She was the President of the Trinity College Dublin Students' Union from 2015 to 2016.

The election to the 26th Seanad took place after the dissolution of the 32nd Dáil on 14 January 2020. The Constitution of Ireland requires a general election for Seanad Éireann, the Senate of the Oireachtas, to take place not later than ninety days after a dissolution of the Dáil. There are 60 seats in the Seanad: 43 were elected on five vocational panels by serving politicians, for which polling closed on 30 March 2020; 6 were elected in two university constituencies, for which polling closed on 31 March 2020; and 11 were nominated by the Taoiseach on 27 June 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sharon Keogan</span> Irish non party politician (born 1967)

Sharon Keogan is an Irish Independent politician who has served as a Senator for the Industrial and Commercial Panel since April 2020.

A by-election was held for the Seanad Éireann Dublin University constituency in Ireland in March 2022. Ballot papers were issued on 25 February and polls closed at 11 a.m. on 30 March 2022. The election was won by former army officer and whistleblower Tom Clonan.

References

  1. 1 2 "Clonan wins Trinity College Seanad by-election". RTÉ News . 31 March 2022. Archived from the original on 31 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  2. ↑ Sherlock, D.J.M. (2006). Trinity College Record Volume 2006. Dublin: Trinity College Dublin Press. ISBN   1-871408-07-5.
  3. ↑ Clonan 2012
  4. ↑ "Tom Clonan: Whistleblower, Soldier, Spy". Writing.ie. 27 February 2014. Archived from the original on 10 June 2016. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  5. ↑ Clonan, Thomas (August 2000). "Women in Combat:The status and roles assigned female personnel in the Permanent Defence Forces" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 September 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  6. 1 2 "Tom Clonan, Guest Speaker". Athenas Ireland. Archived from the original on 15 August 2016. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  7. 1 2 3 "About Tom Clonan". Tom Clonan. Archived from the original on 30 March 2016. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  8. ↑ Tallant, Nicola (28 November 2013). "Stop hiding behind that f**king handicapped son of yours". Sunday World . Archived from the original on 20 September 2016. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  9. ↑ "Tom Clonan, Security Analyst". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 24 June 2016. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  10. ↑ "Tom Clonan". TheJournal.ie . Archived from the original on 31 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  11. ↑ "Launch of Tom Clonan's book Whistleblower, soldier, Spy". Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT). Archived from the original on 29 May 2016. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  12. ↑ Lally, Conor (28 November 2019). "Whistleblower who exposed rape in Defence Forces thanked 20 years on". The Irish Times . Dublin. ISSN   0791-5144. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  13. ↑ Clonan, Tom (28 November 2019). "Tom Clonan: 'My whistleblower journey in the Defence Forces has ended. I am back in from the cold'". TheJournal.ie . Dublin. Archived from the original on 22 April 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  14. ↑ "Nominations for the University of Dublin Seanad Bye-Election 2022". Trinity College Dublin . Archived from the original on 12 February 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  15. ↑ "Seanad Bye-Election 2022". Trinity College Dublin . Archived from the original on 25 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.