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 see William O'Brien .

William X. O'Brien (23 January 1881 – 31 October 1968) was a politician and trade unionist in Ireland.

Born in Clonakilty, County Cork, O'Brien moved with his family to Dublin in 1897, and quickly became involved in the Irish Socialist Republican Party (ISRP).

A close friend and associate of James Connolly, O'Brien helped establish the Irish Transport and General Workers' Union in 1909, and was instrumental in the Dublin Lockout strike in 1913.

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. During one of these instances, he stood in the Stockport 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 Teachta Dála (TD) for Dublin South at the 1922 general election, and again for Tipperary in June 1927 and again in 1937.

An important figure in the Labour Party in Ireland in its...
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