Career
A farmer before entering politics, he was unsuccessful on the first two occasions when he stood for election to Dáil Éireann, as a Fianna Fáil candidate in the Tipperary South constituency at the 1977 and 1981 general elections. However, in the subsequent elections to the 18th Seanad he was elected by the Cultural and Educational Panel. He did not contest the 1989 general election, but was re-elected to the 19th Seanad.
He was defeated in the 1993 election to the 20th Seanad, but was instead Nominated by the Taoiseach, Albert Reynolds.
