James O'Brien (1806–1882)

James O'Brien (1806-1882) was a nineteenth-century Irish barrister, politician and judge.

He was born in Granard, County Longford, a younger son of James O'Brien and Margaret Long. He went to school in Dublin, and entered the University of Dublin, where he graduated BA in 1829 with a gold medal in science. He entered Gray's Inn in 1831 and was called to the Irish Bar in 1831, becoming Queen's Counsel in 1841.

He entered politics as a Liberal and was elected to the House of Commons as member for Limerick City in 1854; he was re-elected in 1857. He became Third Serjeant in 1848 and Second Serjeant in 1851. In 1858 he was appointed a judge of the Court of Queen's Bench (Ireland) and held that office until his death. He died at his town house at St Stephen's Green; he also had a house in Dalkey.

He married Margaret Segrave in 1836 and they had five children: John, Anne, Emily, Clara, Mary and Margaret. Probably his most eminent relative was his nephew Peter O'Brien, 1st Baron O'Brien, Lord Chief Justice of Ireland 1889-1913, who was the son of his elder brother John O'Brien MP and Ellen Murphy.

Sources

• Ball, F. Elrington; The Judges in Ireland 1221-1921 London John Murray 1926 Vol. II