In 1973, he was promoted to the IRA General Headquarters Staff (GHQ) and after the arrest of Séamus Twomey later that year, he was appointed chief of staff.
Pada 1973, dia dipromosikan ke Markas Staf Umum IRA (GHQ) dan setelah penangkapan Séamus Twomey pada akhir tahun itu, dia diangkat menjadi kepala staf.