Hi Alisa,

I see so many of these little people, who all tend to dress very similar:
Top hat or bowler with a band of different colour on it. Jacket and breeches/trousers, buckled shoes. usually in all green but sometimes has contasting purple, red or black hat.

Maybe people think they are only found in Ireland, because of the predominance of green in their dress(a colour associated with Ireland)and of course the name given to this little person is of old Irish origin. The word derives from the old Irish word 'Luchopan'.

Maybe your Irish convict theory has a link, an interesting thought!