Ben Dunne Death Obituary: High-profile Businessman, Has Died at the Age of 74

May 2024 · 3 minute read

Ben Dunne, a prolific businessman and respected public figure, has passed away at the age of 74. It was revealed that he died after suffering a heart attack while on holiday in Dubai. The Department of Foreign Affairs last night said it was aware of the death of an Irishman in the United Arab Emirates.

The well-liked and prosperous businessman Ben Dunne had an interesting career. His father established the store Dunnes Stores in 1944, and he served as its former director. More recently, he gained notoriety for naming his chain of low-cost gyms after himself.

During the COVID outbreak, when all of his stores had to close due to lockdowns, the business faltered. Nevertheless, he made a change and returned the company to profitability.

His son Robert said, “I’m going to miss him in a way I can’t even describe in words. My dad is dead.

“He had a massive heart attack and just didn’t make it. Simple as that. Overall, in the final analysis, he was a good and decent man.”

The Department of Foreign Affairs was informed about the death of an Irish citizen in Dubai, according to a representative, but they were unable to provide any other comments.

The businessman’s close buddy informed the Irish Mirror that he had spoken with Mr. Dunne earlier this week and everything appeared to be going well.

The shocked pal said, “It’s unreal, so sad… sorry, that’s all I can say.”

K Club pro golfer Gary Murphy posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Sad news on the sudden passing of Mr. Ben Dunne; he was a great supporter of Irish golf.

“Deepest sympathies to all his family and friends. Rest in peace, Ben.”

Another well wisher posted: “RIP Ben Dunne. He was some man for one man.”

Ben Dunne left behind his three kids, Mark, Nicholas, and Robert, as well as his wife Mary and daughter Caroline.

For nearly forty years, he was one of the most famous faces in Irish industry, having been born in Cork in 1949.

The straightforward businessman, who ran a chain of fitness facilities called Ben Dunne Gyms around Liverpool and Dublin, saw highs and lows in his career.

In 1981, the IRA kidnapped him and held him for seven days before releasing him unharmed after receiving a rumored IR£1 million ransom.

He was ousted as head of Dunnes Stores in 1992 after being arrested for cocaine possession and soliciting while on a golf holiday in Florida.

The company paid IR£100 million for his shares and control of the family business went to his sister Margaret Heffernan after a spat played out in public.

Dunne was again embroiled in scandal in the mid-1990s when it emerged he’d given large amounts of money to Fianna Fail leader and then Taoiseach Charles Haughey.

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