When did the special branch originate?
THE SPECIAL BRANCH originated in 1883 as the Special Irish Branch of the CID, its members consisting of specially selected detectives who were detailed to keep suspected Fenians under surveillance. Its first head was Chief Insp. Littlechild. When the Fenians’ outrages ceased in 1885 the Branch remained in being to keep track of all subversive activity, dropping the world ‘Irish’ from its title.
