Career
He was a Teachta Dála (Territorial Decoration) for the Sligo–North Leitrim constituency from 2007 to 2011. He spent seven years on the National Executive of Fianna Fáil and was the Director of Elections for Matt Brennan. He was elected to the 22nd Seanad Éireann by the Agricultural Panel in 2002.
He was first elected to Dáil Éireann at the 2007 general election for Sligo–North Leitrim.
He rejoined the parliamentary party on 13 January 2011. He lost his seat at the 2011 general election.
His first preference vote had declined from 23.2% in 2007 to 11.4%. He was an unsuccessful candidate at 2011 Seanad election.
He was elected to Sligo County Council for the Ballymote-Tubbercurry area at the 2014 local elections.
He regained his Dáil seat for Fianna Fáil at the 2016 general election.