A founder member of Fianna Fáil in 1926, he became increasingly involved in politics and was elected to the party's national executive.[1] McCann stood unsuccessfully for election at the 1937 and 1938 general elections. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fianna FáilTeachta Dála (TD) at the Dublin South by-election held on 6 June 1939.[2]
^O'Connell served as Ceann Comhairle in the 22nd and 23rd Dáil from 1981 to 1983 and was returned automatically at the February 1982 and November 1982 general elections. He joined Fianna Fáil in January 1985.