Pte Patrick Kelly (10 May 1948 – 16 December 1983) was an Irish Army private in the Defence Forces killed during the rescue of kidnapped supermarket executive Don Tidey.
In December 1983, Private Kelly was killed in the line of duty along with trainee Garda Gary Sheehan while both were involved in the rescue of Don Tidey, at Derrada Wood, Ballinamore, County Leitrim.
During the 2011 Irish presidential election Kelly's eldest son, David, confronted Sinn Féin candidate and former IRA commander, Martin McGuinness.
McGuinness later responded, stating that "As a republican leader I have never and would never stand over attacks on the Garda Síochána or the Defence Forces."
[3] On 16 July 2012, Kelly was posthumously awarded the Military Star by Minister for Justice and Equality and Defence Alan Shatter, almost 30 years after his killing.