 He then decided on a career in the law, was called to the Bar in 1826 and became King's Counsel in 1835.He represented Daniel O'Connell in the unsuccessful effort to prosecute him in 1831, and in later 
life he was one of the few judges 
of whom O'Connell spoke highly.He was appointed Solicitor-General for Ireland in 1839 and elected to Parliament as member for Clonmel in the same year.