Minister for defence

Dr. T. F. O’Higgins, L.R.C.P. & S.I., T.D., son of the late Dr. Francis O’Higgins. He was born in 1890 at Timogue Stradbally and was educated at the C.B.S. Portlaoise and Clongowes Wood college Kildare in 1919 he was appointed Medical Officer for Portlaoise after holding a similar position in Kildare for the previous 4 years. He helped in the formation of Sinn Fein and the Irish Volunteers in south Kildare and served several prison sentences. He joined the Free State Army in 1922 and was appointed Captain in the medical corps in September of the same year. In 1923 he was appointed Second in command of his corps and in the following year became Director of Medical Services with the rank of colonel.

Since 1929, when he resigned his army commission and entered the Dail, as Deputy for north Dublin, Dr. O’Higgins has occupied a leading position in the political. From 1932 to 1948 he represented Leix-Offaly in the Dail.

Prior to his appointment as Minister for Defence Dr O’Higgins was county medical officer of health for Meath which he held since 1930.