Roger Sweetman

Roger Mary Sweetman (18 August 1874 – 20 May 1954) was an Irish Sinn Féin politician and barrister.

Early life Sweetman was the son of brewer Hugh Sweetman of Roebuck Hall, Dundrum, Dublin, from a Catholic family that became prosperous as brewers in the 18th century. He was called to the bar from King's Inns in 1898. and in 1902 reached the final of the Irish Open men's doubles and lost to Sydney Howard Smith in the first round of the Wimbledon singles. When John declined on age grounds to stand in the 1918 general election in North Wexford, Roger stood instead and unseated Thomas Esmonde of the Irish Parliamentary Party.

In November 1920, breaking ranks with Sinn Féin, Sweetman wrote to the press calling for a truce and peace negotiations in the Irish War of Independence, and criticising Irish Republican Army actions, in particular the assassinations on Bloody Sunday. He was criticised for this when the Dáil next met on 25 January 1921. Two days later he announced his resignation as Teachta Dála because of his "radical disagreement with the majority ... on a vital matter of policy". He did not contest the June 1921 election. Thereafter he concentrated on farming, promoting use of Friesian cattle in dairy farming. They lived in Herbert Park, Dublin, and later at Derrybawn House, Glendalough.

A nephew was Gerard Sweetman, was Minister for Finance in the 1954–1957 coalition.