18 Facts About James Deeny

James Andrew Donnelly Deeny was the Chief Medical Adviser of the Republic of Ireland and a senior administrator in the World Health Organization.

James Deeny was educated at Clongowes College and graduated as a doctor from Queen's University, Belfast at the age of 21.

James Deeny continued his studies at the Royal College of Physicians in Dublin.

James Deeny first came to prominence in the 1930s after publishing a study on the nutritional deficiencies of male factory workers in Lurgan in the Journal of the Ulster Medical Society.

James Deeny conducted a study of the spread of tuberculosis in Lurgan and showed that the main factor in the spread of the disease was the residence of adolescents in near proximity to a case who had died.

James Deeny became an expert on pellagra and diagnosed it among his patients.

In 1944, James Deeny was appointed Chief Medical Adviser for Ireland.

James Deeny chaired the Committee on the Health Services which led to the establishment of the new department in early 1947.

James Deeny was heavily involved in the preparation of the Health Act of 1947 which included the Mother and Child Scheme.

Some time after taking up the Dublin position, James Deeny became aware of extremely high infant mortality rates in the Bessborough mother and baby home run by the Sisters of the Sacred Heart order in Cork.

James Deeny closed down the home temporarily and sacked the nun matron and the medical officer.

In May 1948, James Deeny attended the first assembly of the World Health Organization in Geneva as chief of the Irish delegation.

James Deeny carried out national tuberculosis surveys on Sri Lanka and Somaliland.

James Deeny took formal retirement in 1967, but continued to do consultancy work for the organization.

James Deeny returned to private practice for a time in Fanad, County Donegal and while there, conducted a survey of the community.

James Deeny finally retired to Tagoat, County Wexford where he ran a 160-acre farm.

James Deeny founded the Tagoat Community Council and for his community efforts he was named Irish Life Pensioner of the year in 1988.

In 1941, James Deeny was elected a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and in the same year a member of the Royal Irish Academy.