Patrick Reynolds (Cumann na nGaedheal politician)

Patrick Reynolds
Teachta Dála
In office
September 1927 – 14 February 1932
ConstituencyLeitrim–Sligo
Personal details
Born(1887-03-01)1 March 1887
Gorvagh, County Leitrim, Ireland
Died14 February 1932(1932-02-14) (aged 44)
County Leitrim, Ireland
Political partyCumann na nGaedheal
SpouseMary Reynolds
Children7, including Patrick J. Reynolds
RelativesGerry Reynolds (grandson)
Alma materMarlborough Street College, Dublin

Patrick Reynolds (1 March 1887 – 14 February 1932) was an Irish Cumann na nGaedheal politician.[1][2]

A merchant and farmer, he was elected to Dáil Éireann as a Cumann na nGaedheal Teachta Dála (TD) at the September 1927 general election for the Leitrim–Sligo constituency.[3]

He was nominated as a candidate for the 1932 general election, but during the campaign he was shot and killed on 14 February 1932 by a former Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) officer, Joseph Leddy.[4][5] Garda Detective Patrick McGeehan who was trying to shield Reynolds was fatally wounded. The election in Leitrim–Sligo was then postponed, and when it was held his widow Mary Reynolds won a seat, serving in the Dáil for 25 years.[6]

Leddy had helped the IRA during the Irish War of Independence and had received a pension on Reynolds' recommendation; the two were friends and drinking companions, but had recently fallen out over the small size of Leddy's pension, and Leddy had begun to support a rival politician. Leddy was tried in Dublin and received a one-year sentence for manslaughter, the jury citing provocation. Mary Reynolds received IR£1,000 in a civil lawsuit.[7]

His son Patrick J. Reynolds, who took over and expanded the family business, was a long-serving member of Leitrim County Council, and also a Fine Gael TD and senator, serving as Cathaoirleach of the Seanad from 1983 to 1987. Pat Joe's son Gerry Reynolds was also a TD and senator.[2]

  1. ^ "Patrick T. Reynolds". Oireachtas Members Database. Archived from the original on 7 November 2018. Retrieved 21 February 2008.
  2. ^ a b Coleman, Marie. "Reynolds, Patrick". Dictionary of Irish Biography. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  3. ^ "Patrick T. Reynolds". ElectionsIreland.org. Archived from the original on 15 September 2007. Retrieved 13 April 2009.
  4. ^ "Election Candidate Shot Dead". The Irish Times. 15 February 1932. p. 9.
  5. ^ "Obituary: Pat Joe Reynolds". Sunday Independent. 4 January 2004. Archived from the original on 20 May 2011. Retrieved 19 February 2008.
  6. ^ McNamara, Maedhbh; Mooney, Paschal (2000). Women in Parliament: Ireland 1918–2000. Wolfhound Press, Dublin. p. 91. ISBN 0-86327-759-4.
  7. ^ McGloin, Eugene (10 July 2017). "Killing of local TD in election recalled in new book". Sligo Today. Archived from the original on 6 March 2018. Retrieved 5 March 2018.