Paul O'Dwyer

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Born in Bohola, County Mayo, Ireland, Peter Paul "Paul" O'Dwyer (1907 - 1998) grew up in Brooklyn, New York.

During World War II he was a staunchly vehement opponent of American involvement in the war and traveled the United States (until Pearl Harbor) to speak with and rally like-minded pro-neutrality (particularly Irish-American) groups.

As a lawyer (he founded the firm O'Dwyer and Bernstien in lower Manhattan) he made a reputation for himself as a defender of progressive causes, from striking workers to African Americans struggling for civil rights. Some of his more renowned cases were those involving people accused of Communist activities. Active in the National Lawyers Guild, he became its president in 1947 and served on its national board from 1948 - 1951.

O'Dwyer also took a passionate interest in his home country and supported both constitutionalist and physical force Irish nationalist initiatives. His influence protected several IRA gunmen from deportation, including "The Fort Worth Five" and the late Vincent Conlon.

Active in New York City politics, O'Dwyer ran for political office several times, gaining election to the New York City Council, which he ended up heading for several years.

O'Dwyer was the youngest sibling (of 10), and sometime law partner, of his eldest sibling, New York City Mayor William O'Dwyer, who was 17 years his senior. The O'Dwyers were maternal uncles of the late Frank Durkan.

Paul O'Dwyer died several days before his 91st birthday in 1998. His son, Brian Durkin, is also a noted New York City lawyer.