Dennis O'Brien (policeman)
Encyclopedia
Dennis O'Brien often called "Dinny O’Brien", was a veteran of the Easter Rising
, the Irish War of Independence
, and the Irish Civil War
. He joined the Garda Síochána
in 1933 and was killed by the Irish Republican Army.
during the Easter Rising
of 1916.
Afterwards they had served together in the Irish Republican Army
during the Irish War of Independence
.
. In fact, Patrick and Dennis O'Brien were part of the force which seized the Four Courts
and precipitated the Battle of Dublin (1922). Later that year, Patrick was killed in action at Enniscorthy
.
, the new President of the Executive Council
(prime minister) of the Irish Free State
, issued a call for IRA veterans to join the Gardaí. Many Pro-Treaty veterans of the Civil War had been cashiered from their jobs in the Irish police and military after de Valera won took power. De Valera hoped to fill their places with men who shared his views on the Anglo-Irish Treaty
. Many Anti-Treaty veterans who answered his call regarded this as an opportunity to continue fighting their Civil War foes.
O'Brien remained in the Gardaí when De Valera broke with the IRA in 1934, but also introduced a more Republican constitution in 1937 and abolished the Oath of Allegiance
to the British Monarchy.
Division, which had its headquarters at Dublin Castle
. The Special Branch Division was then largely tasked with hunting down foreign spies and members of the IRA, who were interned in the Curragh Camp
. De Valera's government regarded this as a necessity because elements of the IRA had moved into an active collaboration with the intelligence services of Nazi Germany
.
According to historian Tim Pat Coogan
,
At the time, the IRA regarded the Irish Free State
as a de facto
extension of the British Empire
. Therefore, Irishmen who served the Free State were regarded as traitors.
, Rathfarnham
, County Dublin
, O’Brien left his house and began getting into his car. Three IRA men, wearing trench coats and armed with Thompson sub machine guns, came up the drive and opened fire. The shots from the Thompson smashed the windows of his car, wounding him. He alighted and ran for cover to the gate but before reaching it, he was shot by a single round to the head. As was customary among Gardaí, Detective Sergeant O'Brien was completely unarmed.
Two of the assassins wrapped the Thompsons in their trench coats, mounted their bicycles, and rode towards Dublin. Future IRA Chief of Staff Charlie Kerins
left on foot, leaving his bicycle behind.
According to author Tim Pat Coogan
,
for the murder of Detective Sergeant O'Brien. At a special military tribunal
in Collins Barracks, Dublin, Kerins was formally charged on 2 October 1944 for the "shooting at Rathfarnham
of Detective Dinny O’Brien". According to Coogan,
After Kerins' fingerprints were identified on the bicycle which was left at the crime scene, he was found guilty, and sentenced to death by hanging
. The sentence was carried out at Mountjoy Prison
on December 1, 1944. British Chief Executioner
Albert Pierrepoint
was imported from London to carry out the sentence, in spite of numerous calls for clemency. Archie Doyle
, who is also alleged to have in involved in the killing of D.S. O'Brien, died in 1987.
Easter Rising
The Easter Rising was an insurrection staged in Ireland during Easter Week, 1916. The Rising was mounted by Irish republicans with the aims of ending British rule in Ireland and establishing the Irish Republic at a time when the British Empire was heavily engaged in the First World War...
, the Irish War of Independence
Irish War of Independence
The Irish War of Independence , Anglo-Irish War, Black and Tan War, or Tan War was a guerrilla war mounted by the Irish Republican Army against the British government and its forces in Ireland. It began in January 1919, following the Irish Republic's declaration of independence. Both sides agreed...
, and the Irish Civil War
Irish Civil War
The Irish Civil War was a conflict that accompanied the establishment of the Irish Free State as an entity independent from the United Kingdom within the British Empire....
. He joined the Garda Síochána
Garda Síochána
, more commonly referred to as the Gardaí , is the police force of Ireland. The service is headed by the Commissioner who is appointed by the Irish Government. Its headquarters are located in the Phoenix Park in Dublin.- Terminology :...
in 1933 and was killed by the Irish Republican Army.
Irish War of Independence
O’Brien had fought alongside his two brothers, Lawrence and Patrick, in Marrowbone LaneMarrowbone Lane
Marrowbone Lane is a street off Cork Street in Dublin, Ireland. The name is a corruption of St. Mary Le Bone; it was known as Marrowbone Lane as far back as 1743....
during the Easter Rising
Easter Rising
The Easter Rising was an insurrection staged in Ireland during Easter Week, 1916. The Rising was mounted by Irish republicans with the aims of ending British rule in Ireland and establishing the Irish Republic at a time when the British Empire was heavily engaged in the First World War...
of 1916.
Afterwards they had served together in the Irish Republican Army
Irish Republican Army
The Irish Republican Army was an Irish republican revolutionary military organisation. It was descended from the Irish Volunteers, an organisation established on 25 November 1913 that staged the Easter Rising in April 1916...
during the Irish War of Independence
Irish War of Independence
The Irish War of Independence , Anglo-Irish War, Black and Tan War, or Tan War was a guerrilla war mounted by the Irish Republican Army against the British government and its forces in Ireland. It began in January 1919, following the Irish Republic's declaration of independence. Both sides agreed...
.
Irish Civil War
All three brothers joined the Anti-Treaty IRA during the Irish Civil WarIrish Civil War
The Irish Civil War was a conflict that accompanied the establishment of the Irish Free State as an entity independent from the United Kingdom within the British Empire....
. In fact, Patrick and Dennis O'Brien were part of the force which seized the Four Courts
Four Courts
The Four Courts in Dublin is the Republic of Ireland's main courts building. The Four Courts are the location of the Supreme Court, the High Court and the Dublin Circuit Court. The building until 2010 also formerly was the location for the Central Criminal Court.-Gandon's Building:Work based on...
and precipitated the Battle of Dublin (1922). Later that year, Patrick was killed in action at Enniscorthy
Enniscorthy
Enniscorthy is the second largest town in County Wexford, Ireland. The population of the town and environs is 9538. The Placenames Database of Ireland sheds no light on the origins of the town's name. It may refer either to the "Island of Corthaidh" or the "Island of Rocks". With a history going...
.
Police career
Dennis O'Brien remained a member of the IRA until 1933. In that year, Éamon de ValeraÉamon de Valera
Éamon de Valera was one of the dominant political figures in twentieth century Ireland, serving as head of government of the Irish Free State and head of government and head of state of Ireland...
, the new President of the Executive Council
President of the Executive Council
President of the Executive Council may refer to:*The Governor-General or Governors of the Australian states in Australia and New Zealand, although the actual title is not used*A Premier of a Canadian Province...
(prime minister) of the Irish Free State
Irish Free State
The Irish Free State was the state established as a Dominion on 6 December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed by the British government and Irish representatives exactly twelve months beforehand...
, issued a call for IRA veterans to join the Gardaí. Many Pro-Treaty veterans of the Civil War had been cashiered from their jobs in the Irish police and military after de Valera won took power. De Valera hoped to fill their places with men who shared his views on the Anglo-Irish Treaty
Anglo-Irish Treaty
The Anglo-Irish Treaty , officially called the Articles of Agreement for a Treaty Between Great Britain and Ireland, was a treaty between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and representatives of the secessionist Irish Republic that concluded the Irish War of...
. Many Anti-Treaty veterans who answered his call regarded this as an opportunity to continue fighting their Civil War foes.
O'Brien remained in the Gardaí when De Valera broke with the IRA in 1934, but also introduced a more Republican constitution in 1937 and abolished the Oath of Allegiance
Oath of allegiance
An oath of allegiance is an oath whereby a subject or citizen acknowledges a duty of allegiance and swears loyalty to monarch or country. In republics, modern oaths specify allegiance to the country's constitution. For example, officials in the United States, a republic, take an oath of office that...
to the British Monarchy.
World War II
During the Second World War O'Brien was a Detective Sergeant in the Special BranchSpecial Detective Unit
The Special Detective Unit is a unit of an Garda Síochána under its Crime & Security Branch. They are a replacement for the older Special Branch unit, which itself replaced the CID in 1923...
Division, which had its headquarters at Dublin Castle
Dublin Castle
Dublin Castle off Dame Street, Dublin, Ireland, was until 1922 the fortified seat of British rule in Ireland, and is now a major Irish government complex. Most of it dates from the 18th century, though a castle has stood on the site since the days of King John, the first Lord of Ireland...
. The Special Branch Division was then largely tasked with hunting down foreign spies and members of the IRA, who were interned in the Curragh Camp
Curragh Camp
The Curragh Camp is an army base and military college located in The Curragh, County Kildare, Ireland. It is the main training centre for the Irish Army.- Brief history of the Curragh's military heritage :...
. De Valera's government regarded this as a necessity because elements of the IRA had moved into an active collaboration with the intelligence services of Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
.
According to historian Tim Pat Coogan
Tim Pat Coogan
Timothy Patrick Coogan is an Irish historical writer, broadcaster and newspaper columnist. He served as editor of the Irish Press newspaper from 1968 to 1987...
,
"An iron gloved approached to the IRA was the order of the day with vigorous raids and interrogations. As a result, relations between individual IRA men and the Special BranchSpecial BranchSpecial Branch is a label customarily used to identify units responsible for matters of national security in British and Commonwealth police forces, as well as in the Royal Thai Police...
became understandably strained, and the IRA, in its shattered and disorganized condition, came to regard the Special BranchSpecial BranchSpecial Branch is a label customarily used to identify units responsible for matters of national security in British and Commonwealth police forces, as well as in the Royal Thai Police...
as a greater enemy than the British Crown."
At the time, the IRA regarded the Irish Free State
Irish Free State
The Irish Free State was the state established as a Dominion on 6 December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed by the British government and Irish representatives exactly twelve months beforehand...
as a de facto
De facto
De facto is a Latin expression that means "concerning fact." In law, it often means "in practice but not necessarily ordained by law" or "in practice or actuality, but not officially established." It is commonly used in contrast to de jure when referring to matters of law, governance, or...
extension of the British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
. Therefore, Irishmen who served the Free State were regarded as traitors.
Assassination
At 9:45 am on September 9, 1942 at BallybodenBallyboden
Ballyboden is a locality within the suburb of Rathfarnham in South Dublin, at the foot of the Dublin mountains between Whitechurch, Ballyroan and Knocklyon....
, Rathfarnham
Rathfarnham
Rathfarnham or Rathfarnam is a Southside suburb of Dublin, Ireland. It is south of Terenure, east of Templeogue, and is in the postal districts of Dublin 14 and 16. It is within the administrative areas of both Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown and South Dublin County Councils.The area of Rathfarnham...
, County Dublin
County Dublin
County Dublin is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Dublin Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the city of Dublin which is the capital of Ireland. County Dublin was one of the first of the parts of Ireland to be shired by King John of England following the...
, O’Brien left his house and began getting into his car. Three IRA men, wearing trench coats and armed with Thompson sub machine guns, came up the drive and opened fire. The shots from the Thompson smashed the windows of his car, wounding him. He alighted and ran for cover to the gate but before reaching it, he was shot by a single round to the head. As was customary among Gardaí, Detective Sergeant O'Brien was completely unarmed.
Two of the assassins wrapped the Thompsons in their trench coats, mounted their bicycles, and rode towards Dublin. Future IRA Chief of Staff Charlie Kerins
Charlie Kerins
Charlie Kerins was a prominent Irish Republican, who following his killing of policeman Dennis O'Brien, was named the Chief of Staff of the IRA...
left on foot, leaving his bicycle behind.
According to author Tim Pat Coogan
Tim Pat Coogan
Timothy Patrick Coogan is an Irish historical writer, broadcaster and newspaper columnist. He served as editor of the Irish Press newspaper from 1968 to 1987...
,
"The shooting greatly increased public feeling against the I.R.A., particularly as the murder was carried out almost in full view of his wife. As she held her dying husband, she watched his assailants cycling past.
Aftermath
Two years later, Kerins was arrested in a pre-dawn raid and tried by court-martialCourt-martial
A court-martial is a military court. A court-martial is empowered to determine the guilt of members of the armed forces subject to military law, and, if the defendant is found guilty, to decide upon punishment.Most militaries maintain a court-martial system to try cases in which a breach of...
for the murder of Detective Sergeant O'Brien. At a special military tribunal
Military tribunal
A military tribunal is a kind of military court designed to try members of enemy forces during wartime, operating outside the scope of conventional criminal and civil proceedings. The judges are military officers and fulfill the role of jurors...
in Collins Barracks, Dublin, Kerins was formally charged on 2 October 1944 for the "shooting at Rathfarnham
Rathfarnham
Rathfarnham or Rathfarnam is a Southside suburb of Dublin, Ireland. It is south of Terenure, east of Templeogue, and is in the postal districts of Dublin 14 and 16. It is within the administrative areas of both Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown and South Dublin County Councils.The area of Rathfarnham...
of Detective Dinny O’Brien". According to Coogan,
"At the end of his trial, the president of the Military Court delayed sentence until later in the day to allow Kerins, if he wished, to make an application whereby he might have avoided the capital sentence. When the court resumed, Kerins said: "You could have adjourned it for six years as far as I am concerned, as my attitude towards this Court will always be the same." He thus deprived himself of the right to give evidence, to face cross examination, or to call witnesses.
After Kerins' fingerprints were identified on the bicycle which was left at the crime scene, he was found guilty, and sentenced to death by hanging
Death by hanging
Death by hanging may refer to:* Hanging* Death by Hanging, a 1968 film by Nagisa Oshima...
. The sentence was carried out at Mountjoy Prison
Mountjoy Prison
Mountjoy Prison , founded as Mountjoy Gaol, nicknamed The Joy, is a medium security prison located in Phibsboro in the centre of Dublin, Ireland. It has the largest prison population in Ireland.The current prison governor is Mr...
on December 1, 1944. British Chief Executioner
Executioner
A judicial executioner is a person who carries out a death sentence ordered by the state or other legal authority, which was known in feudal terminology as high justice.-Scope and job:...
Albert Pierrepoint
Albert Pierrepoint
Albert Pierrepoint is the most famous member of the family which provided three of the United Kingdom's official hangmen in the first half of the 20th century...
was imported from London to carry out the sentence, in spite of numerous calls for clemency. Archie Doyle
Archie Doyle
Archie Doyle was one of three anti-Treaty members of the IRA who on July 10, 1927 assassinated the Irish Justice Minister Kevin O'Higgins. He had had a long subsequent career in the organisation's ranks....
, who is also alleged to have in involved in the killing of D.S. O'Brien, died in 1987.