He was elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála (TD) for Cork Borough at the August 1956 by-election caused by the death of Patrick McGrath of Fianna Fáil.
A representative from Fianna Fáil was chosen to serve in the Irish parliament, specifically for the Cork area, following a by-election held in August 1956 due to the passing of Patrick McGrath, also a member of Fianna Fáil.