Cowen joins Beacon board

health

FORMER Taoiseach Brian Cowen has been appointed non-executive director on the board of Sandyford's Beacon Hospital.

It's understood that Mr Cowen was approached to take the position by businessman Denis O'Brien.

Mr O'Brien, who is the largest shareholder in Independent News & Media, the parent company of this newspaper, owns 70pc of the private hospital.

Mr Cowen served as Minister for Health between 1997 and 1999.