Talk:Paddy O'Brien

Paddy O'Brien in the IRA
There are multiple accounts of a Paddy O'Brien involved as a commander in IRA activities. Two of them in County Cork, the Kilmichael and Clonbanin Ambushes, another in Dublin, the Battle of Dublin. Another user warned me the Dublin O'Brien might not be the same as the Cork one, until proven so. For the time being, only the one involved in the two ambushes is linked to Paddy O'Brien (IRA). --Midas02 (talk) 05:28, 10 December 2015 (UTC)


 * There were two Patrick O'Briens in Cork. Both gave statements to the Bureau of Military History in the 1950s. Patrick O'Brien of Ballineen, County Cork (Witness Statement 812) talks of the Kilmichael Ambush but makes no mention of Clonbanin; Patrick O'Brien of Liscarroll, County Cork (WS 764) refers to Clonbanin but not Kilmichael. Paddy O'Brien of Dublin was killed in 1922 (Ernie O'Malley, The Singing Flame, Dublin, 1978, p. 138). I am therefore removing Clonbanin as well, and leaving just Kilmichael. Scolaire (talk) 08:06, 10 December 2015 (UTC)


 * There's no point in linking any of them then, as it can't be established they are the same person. It's worth making a note of it on the dab page though, so future readers are aware of this research and don't fall for the same trap. --Midas02 (talk) 04:29, 11 December 2015 (UTC)

Paddy O'Brien: IRA Commanders
Throughout all the Irish Revolution you will come across many people called Patrick 'Paddy' O’Brien. Patrick (Paddy for short) and O'Brien are both common names in Ireland. In this discussion three Patrick 'Paddy' O’Brien are mentioned, two from Cork and one from Dublin. These are all different people.

Patrick O'Brien of Liscarroll, Cork (mostly called Commandant Paddy O'Brien) was a volunteer in the 3rd (Charleville) Battalion, Cork II (Later Cork IV) Brigade. Paddy O'Brien was the commander at the Rathcoole and Clonbanin Ambushes along many other activities in the North Cork area. He was very active in both the Irish War for Independence and the Irish Civil War. BMH, Witness Statement (MSPC Pension: File Reference - MSP34REF2020)

Patrick O'Brien of Inchicore, Dublin (also mostly called Commandant Paddy O'Brien) was the commander of the Four Courts Garrison during the Battle of Dublin at the start of the Irish Civil War. On the 30th of June 1922 Paddy O'Brien was injured by shrapnel and Ernie O'Malley took over military command in the Four Courts. Paddy O'Brien succumbed to his wounds on 11 July. Source: theirishstory.com, ar-tour.com, stairnaheireann.net

Patrick O'Brien of Ballineen, Cork was a volunteer in the 3rd (Dunmanway) Battalion, Cork III Brigade. He was very active in his Battalion area and in the Cork III, Brigade Flying Column under General Tom Barry. Paddy O'Brien took part in the Kilmichael ambush as well as many other activities in West Cork. He was active in both the Irish War for Independence and the Irish Civil War. BMH, Witness Statement (MSPC Pension: File Reference - MSP34REF1932)

After a brief look of the Military Service Pension Collection we can see 16 Paddy O’Briens (as of Dec 2019) in their pension series. Including 5 in Dublin and 5 in Cork. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Stair History (talk • contribs) 14:15, 10 December 2019 (UTC)