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.

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.

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. 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.

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.

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.