Frank Durkan
Encyclopedia
Frank Durkan was an Irish-American attorney best known for having represented numerous members of the Provisional Irish Republican Army
(IRA), including avowed gun-runner and pivotal North America
n member of the IRA George Harrison, who stood trial, and was acquitted, in 1982.
In another prominent case, which occurred the previous year, Durkan convinced a federal magistrate to deny the United Kingdom
's request that Desmond Mackin - accused of shooting a British soldier- be extradited to British custody.
Born in Bohola
, County Mayo
, Durkan immigrated to the United States in 1947, aged 17. He stayed with his uncle, William O'Dwyer
, the eldest brother of his mother, Mary. "Bill" O'Dwyer was the Mayor of New York City
at the time, while his uncle, Paul O'Dwyer
, was an influential activist who would later become president of the New York City Council
. "The kid" was quickly whisked away to a small apartment in the Bronx
to earn his way. In the mean time, he worked as a liquor store clerk, janitor and car park while being encouraged to follow in the "legal" familial footsteps.
A graduate of Columbia University
, 1951, he would earn his law degree from New York Law School
two years later, after which he would serve as a clerk for the law firm of O'Dwyer & Bernstein, where Paul O'Dwyer was the senior partner. He, along with Paul's son Brian, were the senior partners at the time of his death.
In addition to representing accused members of the IRA he would also practice malpractice and negligence law, and - towards the twilight of his career- indulge in political campaigns aimed at legitimizing the cause of the new IRA within American political circles by lobbying the government on behalf of Irish-American republicans and Irish nationalists; he was ultimately unsuccessful by the 1990s when a client Joe Doherty
was deported in 1992 after 10 years of litigation.
He died on November 16, 2006, aged 76, in Greenwich, Connecticut
from complications from RA-induced pulmonary fibrosis
. He was survived by his wife, Monica, two daughters, Mary Louise and Aisling, a son-in-law, Stead, and two grandchildren, Brian and Declan.
Provisional Irish Republican Army
The Provisional Irish Republican Army is an Irish republican paramilitary organisation whose aim was to remove Northern Ireland from the United Kingdom and bring about a socialist republic within a united Ireland by force of arms and political persuasion...
(IRA), including avowed gun-runner and pivotal North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
n member of the IRA George Harrison, who stood trial, and was acquitted, in 1982.
In another prominent case, which occurred the previous year, Durkan convinced a federal magistrate to deny the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
's request that Desmond Mackin - accused of shooting a British soldier- be extradited to British custody.
Born in Bohola
Bohola
Bohola is a fictional village which is in many irish legend stories Gallen, County Mayo, Ireland located along the N5 national primary road. It consists of 2 pubs, a post office and a Catholic Church. The village is located near Lough Conn.-People:...
, County Mayo
County Mayo
County Mayo is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Mayo, which is now generally known as Mayo Abbey. Mayo County Council is the local authority for the county. The population of the county is 130,552...
, Durkan immigrated to the United States in 1947, aged 17. He stayed with his uncle, William O'Dwyer
William O'Dwyer
William O'Dwyer was the 100th Mayor of New York City, holding that office from 1946 to 1950.-Biography:O'Dwyer was born in County Mayo, Ireland and migrated to the United States in 1910, after abandoning studies for the priesthood...
, the eldest brother of his mother, Mary. "Bill" O'Dwyer was the Mayor of New York City
Mayor of New York City
The Mayor of the City of New York is head of the executive branch of New York City's government. The mayor's office administers all city services, public property, police and fire protection, most public agencies, and enforces all city and state laws within New York City.The budget overseen by the...
at the time, while his uncle, Paul O'Dwyer
Paul O'Dwyer
Paul O'Dwyer was an American politician and lawyer, brother of Mayor William O'Dwyer and father to New York City lawyer Brian O'Dwyer .-Life:...
, was an influential activist who would later become president of the New York City Council
New York City Council
The New York City Council is the lawmaking body of the City of New York. It has 51 members from 51 council districts throughout the five boroughs. The Council serves as a check against the mayor in a "strong" mayor-council government model. The council monitors performance of city agencies and...
. "The kid" was quickly whisked away to a small apartment in the Bronx
The Bronx
The Bronx is the northernmost of the five boroughs of New York City. It is also known as Bronx County, the last of the 62 counties of New York State to be incorporated...
to earn his way. In the mean time, he worked as a liquor store clerk, janitor and car park while being encouraged to follow in the "legal" familial footsteps.
A graduate of Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
, 1951, he would earn his law degree from New York Law School
New York Law School
New York Law School is a private law school in the TriBeCa neighborhood of Lower Manhattan in New York City. New York Law School is one of the oldest independent law schools in the United States. The school is located within four blocks of all major courts in Manhattan. In 2011, New York Law School...
two years later, after which he would serve as a clerk for the law firm of O'Dwyer & Bernstein, where Paul O'Dwyer was the senior partner. He, along with Paul's son Brian, were the senior partners at the time of his death.
In addition to representing accused members of the IRA he would also practice malpractice and negligence law, and - towards the twilight of his career- indulge in political campaigns aimed at legitimizing the cause of the new IRA within American political circles by lobbying the government on behalf of Irish-American republicans and Irish nationalists; he was ultimately unsuccessful by the 1990s when a client Joe Doherty
Joe Doherty
Joe Doherty is a former volunteer in the Belfast Brigade of the Provisional Irish Republican Army who escaped during his 1981 trial for killing a member of the Special Air Service in 1980...
was deported in 1992 after 10 years of litigation.
He died on November 16, 2006, aged 76, in Greenwich, Connecticut
Greenwich, Connecticut
Greenwich is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town had a total population of 61,171. It is home to many hedge funds and other financial service companies. Greenwich is the southernmost and westernmost municipality in Connecticut and is 38+ minutes ...
from complications from RA-induced pulmonary fibrosis
Pulmonary fibrosis
Pulmonary fibrosis is the formation or development of excess fibrous connective tissue in the lungs. It is also described as "scarring of the lung".-Symptoms:Symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis are mainly:...
. He was survived by his wife, Monica, two daughters, Mary Louise and Aisling, a son-in-law, Stead, and two grandchildren, Brian and Declan.
External links
- Frank Durkan New York Times obituary.
- Odwyer & Bernstien,LLP: Frank Durkan
- Friends Celebrate Durkan Landmark