Reynolds, Michael Joseph

mreynolds

Name: Reynolds, Michael Joseph

Rank: Garda

Reg No: 17673G

Station: Clontarf, Dublin

Years of Service: 5

Background:
Michael Reynolds, born on 9th February, 1945, came from Cloonigney, Kilconnell, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway. He joined An Garda Síochána on 4th March, 1970. On completion of training he was allocated to Kilmainham Garda Station, Dublin. He was married with a 2 year old daughter who subsequently died aged 24 years. Garda Reynolds was posthumously awarded the Scott Gold Medal at the Garda Training Centre, Templemore on 16th July, 1976.

Circumstances:

On the afternoon of 11th September, 1975, three armed raiders robbed the Killester branch of the Bank of Ireland on Dublin’s Howth Road. The raiders had made their escape, having taken more than £7,000 from the bank. As they sped away they narrowly avoided colliding with a car driven by off-duty Garda Michael Reynolds. Garda Reynolds went in pursuit, accompanied by his wife, Vera, and daughter, Emer. The chase eventually reached St. Anne’s Park in Raheny where the raiders abandoned their car. Garda Reynolds, who was unarmed, pursued them on foot, caught and dragged to the ground one of the raiders. One of the other raiders then called on Garda Reynolds to release their accomplice, when he did not do so the raider shot the member in the head.