He fought in the Irish War of Independence before being elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála (TD).

[2] He joined the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers at the outbreak of World War I in 1914, but due to continuous bouts of ill health, he was discharged from the British Army in December 1915.

Carney joined the Irish Volunteers and rose rapidly to become Officer Commanding for County Fermanagh in 1918.

[3] He was also a prominent member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood, and was close to his commanding officer, Michael Collins.

However, just a few weeks later, the British Army were informed that Frank Carney was meeting his IRA Captains in Sweeney's Hotel in Dungloe, County Donegal.