Paddy Agnew | |
|---|---|
| Teachta Dála | |
| In office June 1981 – February 1982 | |
| Constituency | Louth |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Patrick Agnew (1955-03-08)8 March 1955 (age 70) Dundalk,County Louth, Ireland |
| Political party |
|
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | Provisional IRA |
| Rank | Volunteer |
| Battles/wars | The Troubles |
Patrick Agnew (born 8 March 1955) is an Irish former militant, politician, and Republican activist. He was aProvisional Irish Republican Army (IRA)volunteer who was elected toDáil Éireann during the1981 Irish hunger strike.[1][2][3]
Agnew was born inDundalk,County Louth,Ireland in 1955. His grandfather was also anIrish republican and was aninternee during theIrish War of Independence.[4][2]
While his grandfather's activism factored into his decision to join the Provisional IRA in 1972,Bloody Sunday was another influence. Catholics leaving or forced from their homes inNorthern Ireland to stay in the localClan na Gael Hall near his family home also made an impression on him. But, as he put it, “Republicanism was just in me.” He was imprisoned, for the illegal importation of arms on behalf of the Provisional IRA and membership of same, atPortlaoise,Mountjoy,Crumlin Road, and the H-Blocks ofLong Kesh. He was involved in theblanket protest in the H-Blocks.[4][2][5]
Although not on participating in the1981 hunger strike, he was elected as aTeachta Dála (TD) for theLouth constituency at the1981 general election, topping the poll.[6][7] He did not take his seat, as he remained in prison.[1] The other successfulAnti H-Block candidate wasKieran Doherty, who was elected inCavan–Monaghan and died on hunger strike.[3][8]
Agnew was released from prison in 1986 and joined theSinn Féincumann in Dundalk.[4]
