Paul O'Dwyer
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Peter Paul O'Dwyer (1907 Bohola, County Mayo, Ireland - 1998) was an American politician and lawyer, and brother of Mayor William O'Dwyer.
He 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 was a founder of the firm O'Dwyer and Bernstein 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 Irish Republican Army gunmen from deportation, including "The Fort Worth Five" and Vincent Conlon.
Active in New York City politics, O'Dwyer ran for political office several times, gaining election to the position of New York City Council President, which was then one of three city-wide elected positions. He served in that capacity from 1974–1977.
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 Frank Durkan.
Paul O'Dwyer died several days before his 91st birthday in 1998. His son, Brian O'Dwyer, is also a noted New York City lawyer.
| Preceded by NEWLY CREATED |
New York City Council, Manhattan At Large 1963–1965 |
Succeeded by Carlos Rios |
| Preceded by James B. Donovan |
Democratic Nominee for U.S. Senate from New York (Class 3) 1968 |
Succeeded by Ramsey Clark |
| Preceded by Francis X. Smith |
President of the New York City Council 1974 – 1977 |
Succeeded by Carol Bellamy |
