- William X. O'Brien
:"William X. O'Brien (ITGWU) and
William O'Brien (Dominion Home Rule/IPP) were contemporaries in Irish politics early in the 20th century, but should not be confused. For other people of the same name seeWilliam O'Brien (disambiguation) ."William X. O'Brien (23 January 1881 – 31 October 1968) was an
Teachta Dála (TD) and trade unionist inIreland .Born in
Clonakilty ,County Cork , O'Brien moved with his family toDublin in 1897, and quickly became involved in the Irish Socialist Republican Party.cite book
last = Morrissey SJ
first = Thomas J.
title = William O’Brien, 1881–1968 - Socialist, republican, Dáil deputy, editor and trade union leader
publisher = Four Courts Press
year = 2007
isbn = 9781846820670]A close friend and associate of
James Connolly , O'Brien helped establish theIrish Transport and General Workers' Union in 1909, and was instrumental in theDublin Lockout strike in 1913. [cite book
last = Yeates
first = Padraig
title = Lockout: Dublin 1913
publisher = Macmillan
year = 2001
isbn = 0312238908]A member of the Irish Neutrality League, and Anti-Conscription Committee, during the
Great War , O'Brien was interned on several occasions by the Dublin Castle government. [ [http://flag.blackened.net/revolt/cc1913/ica.html The Irish Citizen Army - history] ] During one of these instances, he stood in theStockport by-election, 1920 , but was refused a release to campaign in it.With the formation of the Irish Free State, O'Brien was elected as TD for Dublin South, in 1922, and again for Tipperary in 1927 and again in 1937.
An important figure in the Labour Party in Ireland in its formative days, O'Brien resisted
Jim Larkin 's attempt to gain control of the Party on release from prison. Taking Larkin to court over his occupation of ITGWU headquarters, the Larkin-O'Brien feud resulted in a split within the labour and trade union movements, and the formation of theIrish Congress of Trade Unions . [http://www.siptu.ie/AboutSIPTU/History/ SIPTU.ie - History, An Overview] ]Active in politics and the trade union movement into his 60s, O'Brien retired in 1946 and died on 31 October 1968.
References
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