Friends of Sinn Fein President

Larry Downes is a partner in the New York law firm of Gilroy, Downes, Horowitz and Goldstein, and currently serves as President of the Brehon Law Society, founded by Paul O’Dwyer to focus the energies of New York’s legal community on the situation in the North of Ireland. 

He was raised in Queens, New York, one of seven children, and his grandparents came from Counties Cork, Mayo and Carlow. Downes became interested in politics in 1977, when he worked on the mayoral campaign of Mario Cuomo, and went on to serve on his staff at the New York State Department, the New York Lieutenant Governor’s office and then the Governor’s office. 

When Downes entered the field of law, he worked for O’Dwyer and Bernstien, and in 1985 became a founding partner of his current firm. 

Downes is well known for his work with those affected by the Troubles and his commitment serves the entire Irish community. Downes is President of the Friends of Sinn Fein, Inc.