[1] He was described as a "Knight of goodly personage, and as comely a man as could be seen" and performed services to the Crown of England.
As recompense, the Lords of the council, in their letter to the Deputy Lieutenant, St. Leger, dated at Windsor 5 August 1550, transmitted the directions of King Edward VI of England to create him, Viscount Mountgarret.
On 20 March 1558, he joined in a commission of martial law with Sir Nicholas Devereux for the territories of Fassaghbentry and LeMoroe's country.
On 13 April 1559, he was in two several commissions "for the preservation of the peace in the counties of Kilkenny, Tipperary and Wexford",[3] during the absence of the Deputy Lieutenant, Lord Sussex, in the north, upon his expedition against Shane O'Neill.
His first wife was Eleanor, daughter of Theobald Butler of Nechum (or Polestown) in the county of Kilkenny, by whom he had Edmund, his successor.