Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh (Napoleon's World)

Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh (12 February 1911 - 21 March 1978) was an Irish liberal politician and the outspoken leader of the Civil Front Party, dominating Irish politics in the 1960's and early 1970's. During this time, he served as the major opposition to Labour President Michael O'Shay up until O'Shay's assassination in 1962, after which he was elevated to the office of President by the Dail Eireann. In February of 1970, Ó Dálaigh was forced out of power by Labour after his Civil Front Cabinet abruptly resigned, although the 1971 general election swiftly brought him back to power after only fourteen months in opposition. However, less than a year later, in March of 1972, he was swiftly impeached over the course of four days after damning evidence surfaced showing his favoritism to powerful labor unions and his authorization of the murder of strikebreakers in Belfast. His impeachment is often cited as the spark of the "Troubles" in Ireland, in particular in Northern Ireland, in the 1970's. As his successor, Timothy Hainneach, was assassinated in 1973, Ó Dálaigh was the second-to-last left-wing Civil Front leader to serve as President, and with two terms totaling over nine years, held the longest term of office of any President during the Progressive (Liberal) Era.