Denis O'Brien (police officer)

Denis O'Brien
Born	17 June 1899 Dublin, Ireland
Died	9 September 1942 Ballyboden, Rathfarnham, County Dublin, Ireland
Other names	Dinny
Police career
Department	Garda Síochána Special Branch Division
Badge number	8288
Years of service	1933–1942
Rank	Detective Sergeant

Detective Sergeant Denis O'Brien, Registration Number: 8288 (17 June 1899 – 9 September 1942), often called "Dinny O’Brien", was a veteran of the Irish War of Independence and the Irish Civil War. He joined the Garda Síochána in 1933 and was killed by the Anti-Treaty IRA.

Denis O'Brien, born at 8 Pim Street, Dublin 8, and was educated at James Street school by the Congregation of Christian Brothers. As a 17-year-old, he fought in the 1916 Easter Rising with the Marrowbone Lane Garrison of the Irish Volunteers. Briefly imprisoned by the British Army at Richmond Barracks, O'Brien was released on account of his age. He joined the Irish Republican Army in 1917, eventually succeeding his brother Patrick as O.C. ("officer commanding") 'C' Company, 4th Battalion, Dublin Brigade. He commanded his Company through the whole period up until the Anglo-Irish Treaty. During the Irish Civil War, Denis and his brothers joined the Anti-Treaty IRA and fought in the Four Courts. After his capture during the Battle of Dublin, Denis was interned at the Curragh Camp until 1924. He later served as an accountancy clerk with the Electricity Supply Board.

In 1933, Éamon de Valera, the new President of the Executive Council of the Irish Free State, issued a call for IRA veterans to join the Gardaí. Many pro-Treaty veterans of the Civil War had lost 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.

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