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{{Short description|Irish politician and former IRA volunteer (born 1953)}}
{{dablink|For the ] broadcaster of the same name, see ]. For the English footballer, see ]. For the golfer, see ].}}
{{for-multi|the Northern Irish broadcaster|Gerry Kelly (broadcaster)|the English footballer|Gerry Kelly (footballer)|the golfer|Jerry Kelly}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=July 2017}}


{{Infobox MLA {{Infobox officeholder
|honorific-prefix = | honorific-prefix =
|name = Gerry Kelly<br/>Gearóid Ó Ceallaigh | name = Gerry Kelly
| birth_name = Gerard Francis Kelly <ref name="o'dwyer">{{Cite news |last=O'Dwyer |first=Ella |date=2007-12-20 |title=INTERVIEW : Gerry Kelly, H-Block escapee and Sinn Féin Assembly member for North Belfast |url=https://www.anphoblacht.com/contents/17911 |access-date=2024-07-16 |work=An Phoblacht}}</ref>
|honorific-suffix = ]
| honorific-suffix = ]
|image = Gerry Kelly (Irish Republican).JPG
| image = Cropped image of Gerry Kelly Jan 2015.jpg
|imagesize =
|alt = | imagesize =
|caption = | alt =
| caption =
|office = ] ]
| office = ]
|term_start = 8 May 2007
|term_end = | 1blankname = Deputy FM
| 1namedata = ]
|alongside = ] <small>(2007-08)</small>; ] <small>(2008-09)</small>; ] <small>(2009-)</small>
| term_start = 8 May 2007
|predecessor = ''Office Suspended''<br><small>Last officeholder: ]</small>
| term_end = 16 May 2011
|successor =
| predecessor = ]
|constituency_AM2= ]
| successor = ]
|assembly2 = Northern Ireland
| office2 = ]<br />for ]
|majority2 =
| assembly2 =
|term_start2 = 25 June 1998
|term_end2 = | majority2 =
| term_start2 = 25 June 1998
|predecessor2 = ]
|successor2 = | term_end2 =
| predecessor2 = '']''
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1953|04|9|df=yes}}
| successor2 =
|birth_place = ], ]
| office3 = ] <br/> for ]
|death_date =
| term_start3 = 30 May 1996
|death_place =
| term_end3 = 25 April 1998
|restingplace =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1953|04|5|df=yes}}
|birthname =
| birth_place = ], ], Northern Ireland
|nationality =
|party = ] | death_date =
|otherparty = | death_place =
| party = ] <small>(since 1989)</small>
|spouse =
| spouse = Margaret Kelly
|relations =
|children = | children = 7
|residence = | residence = Belfast, Northern Ireland
|alma_mater = | alma_mater = St Peter's Secondary School, Britton's Parade, Belfast
| portfolio = Policing
|occupation =
| website =
|profession =
| branch = ] <small>(1971–1972)</small><ref name="o'dwyer" />
|cabinet =
] <small>(1972–1990s)</small><ref name="o'dwyer" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=McKittrick |first=David |date=2013-10-29 |title=Gerry Kelly speaks: ‘I looked at him and said: "Don’t move or I’ll shoot." That’s all I’ll say...’ |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/gerry-kelly-speaks-i-looked-at-him-and-said-don-t-move-or-i-ll-shoot-that-s-all-i-ll-say-8911649.html |access-date=2024-07-16 |work=The Independent}}</ref>
|committees =
| branch_label = Paramilitary
|portfolio =
| rank = ]
|religion =
| unit = ]
|signature =
| battles = ]
|signature_alt=
* ]
|website =
* ]
|footnotes =
}} }}
'''Gerard "Gerry" Kelly''' ({{lang-ga|Gearóid Ó Ceallaigh}}, born 5 April 1953) is an ] ] and former ] (IRA) ] who played a leading role in the negotiations that led to the ] on 10 April 1998.<ref></ref> He is currently a member of ]'s Ard Chomhairle (National Executive) and an ] for ].<ref></ref><ref></ref><ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,3604,291887,00.html | location=London | work=The Guardian | title=The peace warriors | date=29 June 1999}}</ref>


'''Gerard Kelly''' ({{Langx|ga|Gearárd Ó Ceallaigh}}; born 5 April 1953) is an ] ] and former ] (IRA) ] who played a leading role in the negotiations that led to the ] on 10 April 1998.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823182024/http://opapp.gov.ph/index.php?Itemid=115&id=281&option=com_content&task=view |date=23 August 2011 }}</ref> He is currently a member of ]'s Ard Chomhairle (National Executive) and a ] (MLA) for ].<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060811090632/http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/members/biogs_03/kelly_g.htm|date=11 August 2006}}</ref><ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928094550/http://www.stratagem-ni.com/belfastnorthmlas.php|date=28 September 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/g2/story/0,3604,291887,00.html|location=London, UK|work=The Guardian|title=The peace warriors|date=29 June 1999}}</ref>
==Early life==
Kelly was born in the lower ], ] in ] into a family of 11 siblings. He was educated at ] level by the ] ] at St. Finian's ] Primary School, located in the Falls Road area of west Belfast which was also ]' primary school. Kelly was educated to a secondary level at St Peter’s Secondary School in Britton’s Parade, Belfast.


== Early life ==
Kelly became involved in ] in 1972.
Gerard Francis Kelly was born on 5 April 1953 on Raglan Street in the ] area of ]. He went to St Finian's Primary School on the ]. His family weren't particularly political, however his grandfather was a supporter of the ]. Kelly later went to St Peter's Secondary School, obtaining his ], before receiving his first job at 17 in the Civil Service as a clerical officer with the ] Electricity Department.<ref name="o'dwyer" />

In 1971, Kelly joined the militant republican youth organisation, ]. He was later arrested in August 1971 and imprisoned in ] for several months. In January 1972 he escaped, and joined the Provisional IRA in the ] area on his return to Belfast.<ref name="o'dwyer" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Toole |first=Jason |title=The Fugitive |url=https://www.hotpress.com/culture/the-fugitive-4497783 |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=Hotpress}}</ref>


==Old Bailey attack== ==Old Bailey attack==
{{main article|1973 Old Bailey bombing}}
The IRA planted four ] in ] on 8 March 1973. Two of the car bombs were defused but the other two exploded, one near the ] and the other at ]. As a result of the explosions one person was killed and almost 200 people were injured.<ref></ref>
The IRA planted four ] in London on 8 March 1973. Two of the car bombs were defused: a fertilizer bomb in a car outside the Post Office in ] and the BBC's armed forces radio studio in Dean Stanley Street. However, the other two exploded, one near the ] and the other at ] off ]. As a result of the explosions one person died and almost 200 people were injured.<ref>{{Citation|url=https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2009/mar/09/archive-1973-london-ira-bombs|title=From the archives: Ten held after Provo bombs blast London|date=9 March 1973|department=1973 archives|work=]|access-date=30 May 2013}}</ref>


Kelly, then aged 19, and eight others, including ] and sisters ] and ], were found guilty of various charges relating to the bombings on 14 November 1973. Kelly was convicted of causing explosions and conspiracy to cause explosions and received two life sentences plus twenty years.<ref></ref><ref></ref> Kelly, then aged 19, and eight others, including ] and sisters ] and ], were found guilty of various charges relating to the bombings on 14 November 1973. Kelly was convicted of causing explosions and conspiracy to cause explosions, and received two life sentences plus twenty years.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061019225545/http://www.searcs-web.com/kelly5.html |date=19 October 2006}}, searcs-web.com; accessed 15 January 2016.</ref>


==Imprisonment and hunger strike== ==Imprisonment and hunger strike==
Upon imprisonment in England, Kelly, and the other prisoners went on hunger strike demanding political prisoner status and to be transferred to prisons in Northern Ireland. After 205 days on hunger strike, when Kelly was force fed 170 times by prison officers, Kelly was transferred to ] prison in Northern Ireland in April 1975.<ref>'' Ruairí Ó Brádaigh, the Life and Politics of an Irish Revolutionary'' by Robert White (ISBN 978-0253347084), page 235</ref> Upon imprisonment in Britain, Kelly, and the other prisoners went on ] demanding political prisoner status and to be transferred to prisons in Northern Ireland. After 60 days on hunger strike, during which he was force-fed by prison officers, Kelly was transferred to ] prison in Northern Ireland in April 1975.<ref>''Ruairí Ó Brádaigh, the Life and Politics of an Irish Revolutionary'' by Robert White ({{ISBN|978-0253347084}}), page 235</ref>


Whilst imprisoned in the Maze, Kelly again went on protest and made a number of escape attempts in 1977, 1982 and 1983. On 25 September 1983, Kelly was involved in the ], the largest break-out of prisoners in Europe since ] and in British prison history.<ref>{{cite book | last = O'Day | first = Alan | authorlink = | title = Political Violence in Northern Ireland: Conflict and Conflict Resolution | publisher = Praeger Publishers | date = 1997 | pages = 88 | doi = | isbn = 978-0275954147}}</ref><ref name="time">{{cite news | title = The I.R.A.'s "Great Escape" | author = Louisa Wright | url = http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,955225,00.html | publisher = ''TIME'' | date = 10 October 1983 | accessdate = 29 July 2007}}</ref> Kelly, along with 37 other republican prisoners, armed with 6 hand-guns, hijacked a prison meals lorry and smashed their way out of ] past 40 prison wardens and 28 alarm systems. During the escape Kelly shot and injured a prison warden in the head as the officer attempted to foil the escape.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://observer.guardian.co.uk/nireland/story/0,,1046621,00.html | location=London | work=The Observer | first=Nicola | last=Byrne | title=Maze party with jelly and ice cream | date=21 September 2003}}</ref> While imprisoned in the Maze, Kelly again went on protest and made a number of escape attempts in 1977, 1982 and 1983. On 25 September 1983, Kelly was involved in the ], the largest break-out of prisoners in Europe since ] and in UK prison history.<ref>{{cite book|last=O'Day|first=Alan|title=Political Violence in Northern Ireland: Conflict and Conflict Resolution|publisher=Praeger Publishers|year=1997|page=88|isbn=978-0-275-95414-7}}</ref><ref name="time">{{cite magazine|title=The I.R.A.'s 'Great Escape'|author=Louisa Wright|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,955225,00.html|magazine=]|date=10 October 1983|access-date=29 July 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071114174218/https://time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,955225,00.html|archive-date=14 November 2007}}</ref> Kelly, along with 37 other republican prisoners, armed with six handguns, hijacked a prison meals lorry and smashed their way out of the Maze past 40 prison officers and 28 alarm systems. During the escape Kelly shot a prison officer, who attempted to foil the escape, in the head with a gun that had been smuggled into the jail. The officer survived.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://observer.guardian.co.uk/nireland/story/0,,1046621,00.html|location=London, UK|work=The Observer|first=Nicola|last=Byrne|title=Maze party with jelly and ice cream|date=21 September 2003}}</ref>


After the mass break-out Kelly was on the run for three years and again became involved in an ] in Europe. Whilst on the run Kelly claimed that he was aided in his escape by "all kinds of people," including prominent ] and ] supporters in the ].<ref name="mult"> Unisoon Ireland</ref> After the mass break-out Kelly was on the run for three years and again became involved in IRA activity in Europe. Whilst on the run Kelly claimed he was aided in his escape by "all kinds of people", including prominent ] and ] supporters in the ].<ref name="mult">, unison.ie; accessed 15 January 2016.</ref>


On 16 January 1986, Kelly was recaptured in the ] along with ] at their flat in ]. At the time of their arrest, cash in several currencies, maps and fake passports and the keys to a storage container holding 14 rifles, 100,000 rounds of ammunition and ] were recovered by the Dutch Police.<ref>{{cite web | title = Passport in man's home bore the name of another man | author = | url = http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/1998/05/08/ihead.htm | publisher = '']'' | date = 30 April 1998 | accessdate = 11 March 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Westminster accepts them, but we don't | author = | url = http://www.unison.ie/irish_independent/stories.php3?ca=36&si=683235&issue_id=6833&printer=1 | publisher = '']'' | date = 3 February 2002 | accessdate =14 March 2007}}</ref> On 4 December 1986, the pair were extradited from the Netherlands by RAF ] to the ] and returned to the Maze prison.<ref>{{cite news | title = Dutch Extradite Two I.R.A. Fugitives | author = | url = http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A0DEFDE113EF937A35751C1A960948260 | publisher = '']'' | date = 4 December 1986 | accessdate =11 March 2007}}</ref> On 2 June 1989 Kelly was released in line with the ] conditions agreed with the Dutch authorities.<ref>{{cite book | last = De Baróid | first = Ciarán | authorlink = | title = Ballymurphy And The Irish War | publisher = ] | year = 2000 | doi = | isbn = 0-7453-1509-7 | page = 337}}</ref> On 16 January 1986, Kelly was arrested in the Netherlands along with ] at their flat in ]. At the time of their arrest, cash in several currencies, maps and fake passports and the keys to a storage container holding 14 rifles, 100,000 rounds of ammunition and ] were recovered by the Dutch police.<ref>{{cite news |title=Passport in man's home bore the name of another man |url=http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/1998/05/08/ihead.htm |newspaper=] |date=30 April 1998 |access-date=11 March 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060913192455/http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/1998/05/08/ihead.htm |archive-date=13 September 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Westminster accepts them, but we don't|url=http://www.unison.ie/irish_independent/stories.php3?ca=36&si=683235&issue_id=6833&printer=1|newspaper=]|date=3 February 2002|access-date=14 March 2007}}</ref>
On 4 December 1986, the pair were extradited from the Netherlands to the United Kingdom by RAF helicopter and were returned to the Maze prison.<ref>{{cite news|title=Dutch Extradite Two I.R.A. Fugitives|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A0DEFDE113EF937A35751C1A960948260|newspaper=]|date=4 December 1986|access-date=11 March 2007}}</ref> On 2 June 1989, Kelly was released in line with the ] conditions agreed with the Dutch authorities.<ref>{{cite book|last=De Baróid|first=Ciarán|title=Ballymurphy and the Irish War|publisher=]|year=2000|isbn=0-7453-1509-7|page=337}}</ref>


==Political career== ==Political career==
Upon leaving prison Kelly became actively involved in politics and was seen by Unionists as a communication link between the IRA and Sinn Féin. Kelly, and fellow Sinn Féin member, ] both engaged in protracted secret negotiations with representatives of the ] from 1990 until 1993. All of these meetings are documented in the Sinn Féin booklet ''Setting the Record Straight''<ref></ref>. Kelly also published a collection of poetry entitled ''Words from a Cell'' in March 1989. Upon leaving prison, Kelly became actively involved in politics, becoming a leading member of Sinn Féin. Kelly and fellow Sinn Féin member ] both engaged in protracted secret negotiations with representatives of the ] from 1990 until 1993.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.sinnfein.ie/files/Settingrecordstraight.pdf |title=Setting The Record Straight - Sinn Féin booklet as PDF download |access-date=13 July 2010 |archive-date=4 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100504105721/http://www.sinnfein.ie/files/Settingrecordstraight.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> Kelly also published a collection of poetry, ''Words from a Cell'', in 1989.<ref>{{cite web | author = Jason O'Toole | author-link = Jason O'Toole (journalist) | url= https://www.hotpress.com/music/leonard-cohen-tribute-ira-prisoners-adopted-bird-on-a-wire-as-their-freedom-anthem-19336477 | title = Leonard Cohen Tribute: IRA prisoners adopted 'Bird on a Wire' as their freedom anthem | publisher = ] | date = 21 December 2016}}</ref>
Kelly played a role in the ] negotiations that led to the ] on 10 April 1998. In promoting the ] he had talks with ], ], ], ] and ].<ref name="Gerry Kelly"> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930015709/http://sinnfein.ie/elections/candidate/48|date=30 September 2007}}, sinnfein.ie; accessed 15 January 2016.</ref>


On 27 June 1998, he was elected to the ]. He was Deputy Chair of the Social Development Committee in the 1998-2003 Assembly, and is currently Sinn Féin Spokesperson for Policing and Justice, and a political member of the ].<ref name="Gerry Kelly"/><ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928014427/http://www.ivanfoster.org/article.asp?date=12%2F3%2F2006&seq=4|date=28 September 2007}}, ivanfoster.org; accessed 15 January 2016.</ref><ref> {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20040811220045/http://www.irishecho.com/newspaper/story.cfm?id=14893|date=11 August 2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nipolicingboard.org.uk/index/theboard.htm|title=The NI Policing Board|publisher=nipolicingboard.org.uk|access-date=22 August 2015|archive-date=8 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508192623/http://www.nipolicingboard.org.uk/index/theboard.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Kelly later became a leading member of Sinn Féin and played a role in the negotiations that led to the Good Friday Agreement on 10 April 1998. In promoting the ] he had talks with ], former South African President ], ], ] and ] ].<ref name="Gerry Kelly"> Sinn Fein</ref>


In 2013, aged 60, Kelly was criticised by other MLAs (]) in Northern Ireland, for holding on to the front of a ] vehicle, as it drove away with him during a protest in his constituency.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-23020435|work=BBC News|title=Tour of the North parade: Sinn Fein members criticised|date=23 June 2013}}</ref>
On 27 June 1998 Kelly was elected to the ]. He was Deputy Chair of the Social Development Committee in the 1998-2003 Assembly, and is currently Sinn Féin Spokesperson for Policing and Justice.<ref name="Gerry Kelly"/><ref></ref><ref></ref><ref></ref>

Kelly was a Sinn Féin representative during the talks chaired by ] in 2013 on contentious issues in Northern Ireland.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-25543957|work=BBC News|title=Richard Haass talks continuing into night|date=31 December 2013}}</ref>

Kelly brought libel proceedings against a journalist who had talked in two 2019 radio interviews about the 1983 prison officer shooting. His case was dismissed by the Belfast High Court in January 2024 as "scandalous, frivolous and vexatious".<ref>{{cite news |title=Gerry Kelly libel case against journalist thrown out |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-67913143 |access-date=8 January 2024 |work=BBC News |date=8 January 2024 |ref=BBC-67913143}}</ref>

== Cultural references ==
In the 2017 film '']'' dramatising the ], directed by Stephen Burke, Kelly was portrayed by Irish actor Patrick Buchanan.<ref>{{Citation|last=Burke|first=Stephen|title=Maze|date=22 September 2017|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5752606/|others=Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, Barry Ward, Martin McCann|access-date=4 August 2018}}</ref>


==References== ==References==
{{Reflist|2}} {{Reflist|30em}}


==External links== ==External links==
* {{commons category-inline|Gerry Kelly}}
* from BBC News * from BBC News
* Northern Ireland Assembly * Northern Ireland Assembly
* *
*

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{{Sinn Féin}} {{Sinn Féin}}
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{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see ]. -->
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| DATE OF BIRTH =9 April 1953
| PLACE OF BIRTH =], ]
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kelly, Gerry}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Kelly, Gerry}}
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Latest revision as of 00:03, 1 December 2024

Irish politician and former IRA volunteer (born 1953) For the Northern Irish broadcaster, see Gerry Kelly (broadcaster). For the English footballer, see Gerry Kelly (footballer). For the golfer, see Jerry Kelly.

Gerry KellyMLA
Junior Minister Assisting the Deputy First Minister
In office
8 May 2007 – 16 May 2011
Deputy FMMartin McGuinness
Preceded byDenis Haughey
Succeeded byMartina Anderson
Member of the Legislative Assembly
for Belfast North
Incumbent
Assumed office
25 June 1998
Preceded byOffice created
Northern Ireland Forum Member
for Belfast North
In office
30 May 1996 – 25 April 1998
Personal details
BornGerard Francis Kelly
(1953-04-05) 5 April 1953 (age 71)
Lower Falls, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Political partySinn Féin (since 1989)
SpouseMargaret Kelly
Children7
Residence(s)Belfast, Northern Ireland
Alma materSt Peter's Secondary School, Britton's Parade, Belfast
PortfolioPolicing
WebsiteNorth Belfast - Gerry Kelly
Military service
ParamilitaryFianna Éireann (1971–1972) Provisional IRA (1972–1990s)
RankVolunteer
UnitBelfast Brigade
Battles/warsThe Troubles

Gerard Kelly (Irish: Gearárd Ó Ceallaigh; born 5 April 1953) is an Irish republican politician and former Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) volunteer who played a leading role in the negotiations that led to the Good Friday Agreement on 10 April 1998. He is currently a member of Sinn Féin's Ard Chomhairle (National Executive) and a Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLA) for North Belfast.

Early life

Gerard Francis Kelly was born on 5 April 1953 on Raglan Street in the Lower Falls area of Belfast. He went to St Finian's Primary School on the Falls Road. His family weren't particularly political, however his grandfather was a supporter of the Labour Party. Kelly later went to St Peter's Secondary School, obtaining his O-Levels, before receiving his first job at 17 in the Civil Service as a clerical officer with the Belfast Corporation Electricity Department.

In 1971, Kelly joined the militant republican youth organisation, Fianna Éireann. He was later arrested in August 1971 and imprisoned in Mountjoy prison for several months. In January 1972 he escaped, and joined the Provisional IRA in the Whiterock/Ballymurphy area on his return to Belfast.

Old Bailey attack

Main article: 1973 Old Bailey bombing

The IRA planted four car bombs in London on 8 March 1973. Two of the car bombs were defused: a fertilizer bomb in a car outside the Post Office in Broadway and the BBC's armed forces radio studio in Dean Stanley Street. However, the other two exploded, one near the Old Bailey and the other at Ministry of Agriculture off Whitehall. As a result of the explosions one person died and almost 200 people were injured.

Kelly, then aged 19, and eight others, including Hugh Feeney and sisters Marian and Dolours Price, were found guilty of various charges relating to the bombings on 14 November 1973. Kelly was convicted of causing explosions and conspiracy to cause explosions, and received two life sentences plus twenty years.

Imprisonment and hunger strike

Upon imprisonment in Britain, Kelly, and the other prisoners went on hunger strike demanding political prisoner status and to be transferred to prisons in Northern Ireland. After 60 days on hunger strike, during which he was force-fed by prison officers, Kelly was transferred to HMP Maze prison in Northern Ireland in April 1975.

While imprisoned in the Maze, Kelly again went on protest and made a number of escape attempts in 1977, 1982 and 1983. On 25 September 1983, Kelly was involved in the Maze Prison escape, the largest break-out of prisoners in Europe since World War II and in UK prison history. Kelly, along with 37 other republican prisoners, armed with six handguns, hijacked a prison meals lorry and smashed their way out of the Maze past 40 prison officers and 28 alarm systems. During the escape Kelly shot a prison officer, who attempted to foil the escape, in the head with a gun that had been smuggled into the jail. The officer survived.

After the mass break-out Kelly was on the run for three years and again became involved in IRA activity in Europe. Whilst on the run Kelly claimed he was aided in his escape by "all kinds of people", including prominent Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael supporters in the Republic of Ireland.

On 16 January 1986, Kelly was arrested in the Netherlands along with Brendan "Bik" McFarlane at their flat in Amsterdam. At the time of their arrest, cash in several currencies, maps and fake passports and the keys to a storage container holding 14 rifles, 100,000 rounds of ammunition and nitrobenzene were recovered by the Dutch police.

On 4 December 1986, the pair were extradited from the Netherlands to the United Kingdom by RAF helicopter and were returned to the Maze prison. On 2 June 1989, Kelly was released in line with the extradition conditions agreed with the Dutch authorities.

Political career

Upon leaving prison, Kelly became actively involved in politics, becoming a leading member of Sinn Féin. Kelly and fellow Sinn Féin member Martin McGuinness both engaged in protracted secret negotiations with representatives of the British Government from 1990 until 1993. Kelly also published a collection of poetry, Words from a Cell, in 1989. Kelly played a role in the Northern Ireland peace process negotiations that led to the Good Friday Agreement on 10 April 1998. In promoting the peace process he had talks with Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki, Bill Clinton, Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern.

On 27 June 1998, he was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly. He was Deputy Chair of the Social Development Committee in the 1998-2003 Assembly, and is currently Sinn Féin Spokesperson for Policing and Justice, and a political member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board.

In 2013, aged 60, Kelly was criticised by other MLAs (Members of the Legislative Assembly) in Northern Ireland, for holding on to the front of a Police Service of Northern Ireland vehicle, as it drove away with him during a protest in his constituency.

Kelly was a Sinn Féin representative during the talks chaired by Richard Haass in 2013 on contentious issues in Northern Ireland.

Kelly brought libel proceedings against a journalist who had talked in two 2019 radio interviews about the 1983 prison officer shooting. His case was dismissed by the Belfast High Court in January 2024 as "scandalous, frivolous and vexatious".

Cultural references

In the 2017 film Maze dramatising the 1983 prison break, directed by Stephen Burke, Kelly was portrayed by Irish actor Patrick Buchanan.

References

  1. ^ O'Dwyer, Ella (20 December 2007). "INTERVIEW : Gerry Kelly, H-Block escapee and Sinn Féin Assembly member for North Belfast". An Phoblacht. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  2. McKittrick, David (29 October 2013). "Gerry Kelly speaks: 'I looked at him and said: "Don't move or I'll shoot." That's all I'll say...'". The Independent. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  3. British, Irish accord experts hold lecture on N. Ireland experience Archived 23 August 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  4. Gerry Kelly - Biography from NI Assembly Archived 11 August 2006 at the Wayback Machine
  5. GERRY KELLY MLA (SF) Archived 28 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  6. "The peace warriors". The Guardian. London, UK. 29 June 1999.
  7. O'Toole, Jason. "The Fugitive". Hotpress. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  8. "From the archives: Ten held after Provo bombs blast London", 1973 archives, The Guardian, 9 March 1973, retrieved 30 May 2013
  9. Searcs Web Guide: Gerry Kelly profile Archived 19 October 2006 at the Wayback Machine, searcs-web.com; accessed 15 January 2016.
  10. Ruairí Ó Brádaigh, the Life and Politics of an Irish Revolutionary by Robert White (ISBN 978-0253347084), page 235
  11. O'Day, Alan (1997). Political Violence in Northern Ireland: Conflict and Conflict Resolution. Praeger Publishers. p. 88. ISBN 978-0-275-95414-7.
  12. Louisa Wright (10 October 1983). "The I.R.A.'s 'Great Escape'". Time. Archived from the original on 14 November 2007. Retrieved 29 July 2007.
  13. Byrne, Nicola (21 September 2003). "Maze party with jelly and ice cream". The Observer. London, UK.
  14. Killers party at Maze escape night, unison.ie; accessed 15 January 2016.
  15. "Passport in man's home bore the name of another man". Irish Examiner. 30 April 1998. Archived from the original on 13 September 2006. Retrieved 11 March 2007.
  16. "Westminster accepts them, but we don't". Irish Independent. 3 February 2002. Retrieved 14 March 2007.
  17. "Dutch Extradite Two I.R.A. Fugitives". The New York Times. 4 December 1986. Retrieved 11 March 2007.
  18. De Baróid, Ciarán (2000). Ballymurphy and the Irish War. Pluto Press. p. 337. ISBN 0-7453-1509-7.
  19. "Setting The Record Straight - Sinn Féin booklet as PDF download" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 May 2010. Retrieved 13 July 2010.
  20. Jason O'Toole (21 December 2016). "Leonard Cohen Tribute: IRA prisoners adopted 'Bird on a Wire' as their freedom anthem". Hot Press.
  21. ^ Gerry Kelly profile Archived 30 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine, sinnfein.ie; accessed 15 January 2016.
  22. "These are the future leaders of Ulster if the St Andrews Agreement is endorsed" Archived 28 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine, ivanfoster.org; accessed 15 January 2016.
  23. Critics mock Kelly's actions in Ardoyne Archived 11 August 2004 at archive.today
  24. "The NI Policing Board". nipolicingboard.org.uk. Archived from the original on 8 May 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
  25. "Tour of the North parade: Sinn Fein members criticised". BBC News. 23 June 2013.
  26. "Richard Haass talks continuing into night". BBC News. 31 December 2013.
  27. "Gerry Kelly libel case against journalist thrown out". BBC News. 8 January 2024. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  28. Burke, Stephen (22 September 2017), Maze, Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, Barry Ward, Martin McCann, retrieved 4 August 2018

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