Career
He was a Teachta Dála (Territorial Decoration) in the 1920s, and later a Senator for over 25 years, serving as Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann from 1954 to 1957. He had stood unsuccessfully in the 1922 general election, but after topping the poll in 1923 he was re-elected at the June 1927 general election with his vote halved. He lost his seat at the September 1927 general election.
When the house was re-established, he was re-elected in 1938 to the 2nd Seanad on the Agricultural Panel, and held the seat until his death in 1959.