The Repeal Association was part of the movement in Ireland which sought to repeal the Act of Union, which had dissolved the Parliament of Ireland. In 1841, he formally joined the Repeal Association. In May 1841, Doheny was placed on the association's general committee. O'Connell found Doheny difficult to control and was unsettled by Doheny's queries into the association's financial management.

By 1842, Doheny had established himself as a successor