Career
He was elected as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Cork North–Central constituency at the 2011 general election, topping the poll. He is Sinn Féin's Dáil spokesperson on Justice, Equality & Defence. O'Brien also has a sporting background.
O'Brien was criticised by the Minister of Education Ruairi Quinn over his position on the Household Charge. O'Brien responded by saying he had been elected to implement just and fair laws, and described the household tax as being neither.
