X was a member of Parliament and a Fenian. In Barry O’Brien’s The Life of Parnell he relates, ‘And in fact, I was, about this time, deputed to ask Parnell to join us [the IRB]. I did ask him. He said “NO” without a moment’s hesitation …”Have patience with me,” he said; “give me a trial for three or four years …’ (p.110)
X later explains ‘ … In Parnell we had a man who hated England, and was ready and able to fight her at every available point. I thought that such a man ought to be given his head. He had asked for a fair trial, and I felt he was entitled to it.’ (p.125).
R. Barry O’Brien, The Life of Parnell, 1910.
In That Irishman X is identified as O’Connor Power.