Reynolds, Patrick Gerald

Name: Reynolds, Patrick Gerald

Rank: Garda

Reg No: 21281D

Station: Tallaght, Co. Dublin

Years of Service: 3

Background:
Patrick Gerard Reynolds, born on 16th December, 1958, came from Barroe, Ballinadoon, Co. Sligo. In his native Sligo he was known to everybody as Gerard. He attended Cloonagh National School and St. Mary’s College, Boyle. Patrick Gerard joined An Garda Síochána on 21st June, 1978. Garda Reynolds was awarded posthumously the Scott Gold Medal on 29th September, 1983.

Circumstances:

In the early hours of 20th February, 1982, Garda Patrick Reynolds, with four other colleagues, arrived at a semi-derelict block of flats in Dublin’s Tallaght area. All were in uniform and were responding to an anonymous phone tip-off that three suspicious-looking men were carrying bags into a flat at Avonbeg Gardens. Garda Reynolds and his Sergeant checked the rear of the block. The remaining Gardai made their way to the flat identified by the anonymous caller. On entering the flat the Gardai found a gang of six heavily armed men and women counting the proceeds of a bank robbery which had taken place in Askeaton, Co. Limerick a couple of days previously. The gang members began to panic and attempted to flee from the scene. On hearing the commotion Garda Reynolds ran towards the flat itself when he was confronted by one of the gunmen, who fired at him twice, fatally wounding him.