Sentence: 10 years
Joined Hunger Strike: 23rd May
Suicided: 1st August

Born in Park, near Dungiven, Co. Londonderry in 1956, Lynch was the youngest of 8 children. He grew up well known for his strong desire to win and while a good sportsman (particularly fond of Gaelic football and hurling), he was frequently found to be the source of "devilment" in his school until he left at the age of 15.

After spending some time in Bedford (England), Lynch returned home to Dungiven in 1976 (still an apprentice brick layer) and almost immediately joined the INLA because of his "national awareness" and "cultural love of Irish sport." Three months later, at 20 years old, Lynch was arrested by the police following an ambush in which a police officer was injured. He was charged on 4th December with (among other things) conspiracy to disarm members of the security forces, involvement in a shooting and stealing shotguns.

In 1977 Kevin Lynch was sentenced to 10 years in prison. While there he sought and failed to get elected to the Dublin parliament as a Deputy for Waterford, before joining the hunger strike on 23rd May 1981 and eventually escaping prison, like only a hunger striker can, on 1st August.