Madam, - I am completing a short biographical account of James ("Jemmy") O'Brien, a notorious "informer", who was executed in Dublin on July 21st, 1800 for committing a murder.
O'Brien was born near Stradbally, in what was then the Queen's County, about 1770. At the time of his death, he was working under the protection of Major Sirr and Dublin Castle. For many years afterwards, his life - and especially his death - were accorded legendary status.
One story (still unverified) claims that his skeleton was on display in an anatomy exhibit. Over a number of years, his execution provided the inspiration for at least five poems or ballads (including musical versions) and he is introduced into one version of The Croppy Boy.
Perhaps because Jemmy O'Brien became synonymous with the unprincipled informer, his career has proved difficult to reconstruct in detail. I have managed to collect some evidence from the payments register of Dublin Castle, from contemporary newspaper accounts, and from the judge's report of his trial, and I have traced a portrait and a death-mask.
In spite of these advances, I am still left with a story which contains frustrating gaps. I am anxious to hear from anybody who can throw light on O'Brien or any aspect of his life (or death). - Yours, etc,
Prof TIMOTHY WEBB, Department of English, School of Humanities, University of Bristol, Woodland Road, Bristol BS8 1TB, England.