In de Valera 's absence , Cathal Brugha was elected PrÃ omh Aire ( ` Main ' or ` Prime ' , Minister ' , but often translated as ` President of DÃ il Ã ireann ' ) . He was replaced by de Valera , when Collins helped him escape from Lincoln Prison in April 1919 . In de Valera 's absence , Cathal Brugha was elected PrÃ omh Aire ( ` Main ' or ` Prime ' , Minister ' , but often translated as ` President of DÃ il Ã ireann ' ) , to be replaced by de Valera , when Collins helped him escape from Lincoln Prison in April 1919 .