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Kelly was born in [[Belfast]], in the [[Northern Irish nationalist|nationalist]] Lower Falls neighborhood.  In the late 1960s, he became active in the [[Northern Ireland Civil Rights Movement|civil rights movement]], but he became disillusioned with peaceful methods of resolving issues in Northern Ireland, and by 1972 had joined the IRA.

Kelly was born in [[Belfast]], in the [[Northern Irish nationalist|nationalist]] Lower Falls neighborhood.  In the late 1960s, he became active in the [[Northern Ireland Civil Rights Movement|civil rights movement]], but he became disillusioned with peaceful methods of resolving issues in Northern Ireland, and by 1972 had joined the IRA.

In 1973, a referendum was held in Northern Ireland to assess whether its citizens wished to remain part of the [[United Kingdom]]; the referendum was largely boycotted by the nationalist community.  In response to the referendum, the IRA sent the 19-year-old Kelly and eight others to set off four car bombs in London.  While two of the bombs were defused, one at the [[Old Bailey]] and another at [[Scotland Yard]] exploded, killing one person and injuring nearly 200.  Kelly was convicted of causing explosions and conspiracy to cause explosions and given two life sentences plus 20 years<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/november/14/newsid_4724000/4724181.stm BBC story]</ref>.

In 1973, a referendum was held in Northern Ireland to assess whether its citizens wished to remain part of the [[United Kingdom]]; the referendum was largely boycotted by the nationalist community.  In response to the referendum, the IRA sent the 19-year-old Kelly and eight others to set off four car bombs in London.  While two of the bombs were defused, one at the [[Old Bailey]] and another at [[Scotland Yard]] exploded, killing one person and injuring nearly 200.  Kelly was convicted of causing explosions and conspiracy to cause explosions and given two life sentences plus 20 years.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/november/14/newsid_4724000/4724181.stm BBC story]</ref>  

In prison, Kelly and his partners were treated as ordinary criminals, and went on hunger strike seeking recognition as political prisoners and to be transferred to a prison in Northern Ireland.  The prison authorities chose to force feed hunger strikers at this time; Kelly was force fed 170 times during a 205 day hunger strike.  In 1975 he was transferred to [[Long Kesh]] prison in Northern Ireland.  In September 1983, Kelly and 37 other IRA prisoners broke out of Long Kesh by stealing a food truck.  During the escape Kelly shot a prison guard who attempted to stop the prisoners<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2003/sep/21/northernireland.northernireland The Guardian]</ref>.

In prison, Kelly and his partners were treated as ordinary criminals, and went on hunger strike seeking recognition as political prisoners and to be transferred to a prison in Northern Ireland.  The prison authorities chose to force feed hunger strikers at this time; Kelly was force fed 170 times during a 205 day hunger strike.  In 1975 he was transferred to [[Long Kesh]] prison in Northern Ireland.  In September 1983, Kelly and 37 other IRA prisoners broke out of Long Kesh by stealing a food truck.  During the escape Kelly shot a prison guard who attempted to stop the prisoners.<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2003/sep/21/northernireland.northernireland The Guardian]</ref>

After escaping from prison Kelly was involved in IRA activities in [[Europe]].  He was rearrested in [[Amsterdam]] in 1986 and extradited to Northern Ireland, returning to Long Kesh.  He was released from prison in 1989.

After escaping from prison Kelly was involved in IRA activities in [[Europe]].  He was rearrested in [[Amsterdam]] in 1986 and extradited to Northern Ireland, returning to Long Kesh.  He was released from prison in 1989.