Daniel F. Cohalan

Daniel Cohalan (1865–1946) was an Irish-American leader and judge of the Supreme Court of New York State (1912–1935).

Born in Middletown, New York where he joined and became a prominent member of the Democratic Party and later involved in the leadership of the Tammany Society (1908–11).

In 1912, Cohalan was appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court of New York State. He was a close associate of Irish revolutionary leader, John Devoy and was influential in many Irish-American societies including Clan na Gael. Cohalan was involved with the financing and planning of the Easter Rising in Dublin and was instrumental in sending Roger Casement to Germany in 1914. He was Chairman of the Irish Race Convention held in Philadelphia (22–23 February 1919) and active in the Friends of Irish Freedom (1916–1934).

Cohalan strongly opposed President Woodrow Wilson's proposals for the League of Nations, on the basis that the Irish Republic had been denied a policy of self-determination at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919. Cohalan broke with both Éamon de Valera and Irish-American leader Joseph McGarrity in late 1919 on Irish-American political direction.

Sources and links

D.J.Hickey & J.E.Doherty. A Dictionary of Irish History. Gill & MacMillan. Ireland 1980. p81 ISBN 0717115674