Career
McCann stood unsuccessfully for election at the 1937 and 1938 general elections. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála (Territorial Decoration) at the Dublin South by-election held on 6 June 1939. McCann was re-elected at each general election until he lost his seat at the 1954 general election.
He served as Lord Mayor of Dublin from 1947-1948 and 1964-1965.
He was the father of actor Donal McCann.