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Irish Daily Mirror
11-08-2025
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
Tycoon Ben Dunne's son laid to rest after shock death in New York
Dunnes Stores tycoon Ben Dunne's son Robert was laid to rest after his shock death in New York with mourners told that his dad's passing 'hit him hard'. Rob Dunne was 50 when he died on August 1 and was today buried at Castleknock Churchyard after Mass at St Mochta's Church in Clonsilla, Co Dublin. Before the emotional service, his family, who buried dad Ben just two years ago, stated that Rob died 'peacefully'. His mother Mary was comforted by Rob's brothers Mark and Nicholas and sister Caroline. Mark told mourners: 'In more recent years, life became more difficult for Rob. The Covid pandemic with its long months of isolation and restrictions seemed to dim the spark that had always been such a natural part of Rob. Robert Dunne 'His world, once so full of people and music and laughter, became quieter. The passing of our dad, to whom he was so close, hit him deeply 'Many people loved Rob deeply and would've been there for him in a heartbeat, but he sometimes found himself pulling away. 'It's a reminder to all of us that even the brightest lights can be dimmed and how important it is to keep reaching out to those who we care about.' He added: 'When I think about Rob, so many words come to mind: raconteur, sharp, complex, quick-witted, funny, playful, loving and caring 'Rob had a way of making life bigger and better and more memorable. While today, we feel his absence deeply, I know that there's an image of Rob smiling for each of us. 'He will be missed by so many. He was so deeply loved as a brother, a son, an uncle, a nephew, a cousin, and a dear friend. 'He has left us far too soon and the ache of that will stay with us. Rest in peace Rob. The good in you will always be with us.' Robert was the second son of business titan Ben, the former head of Dunnes Stores and Ben Dunne Gyms. He was a lawyer in New York for over two decades and was lauded there by the Brehon Law Society where he was formerly its president. Robert's grandfather Ben Dunne Senior founded Dunnes in Cork in 1944 and his father Ben Dunne Junior took it over before he died, aged 74, in November 2023 from a heart attack while on holiday in Dubai. Rob's brother Mark delivered in his eulogy memories of his 'prankster' nature., recalling his 'spirit, his mischief, his humour and that sparkle in his eye'. Mark said: 'Rob loved to share a good book. He'd tell you all about some brilliant novel he just read; a real page turner. 'He'd say he couldn't put it down, and because he was generous like that he'd buy copies for his friends and people he knew would really enjoy the book. 'The catch was, if you were lucky enough to get one of these books from Rob, you were also unlucky enough to discover, right at the most dramatic moment, that he had ripped out the last page, and in its place, the big bold letters, 'ha ha'. 'It was maddening, of course, but that was Rob. He looked to make people laugh, often in the most unexpected ways. I can still hear his laugh and still see the way he found joy in connecting with people.' He added another memory, recalling how Rob was on holiday in America at a beach bar and asked the band if he could propose to a woman who he had just met. Mark said: 'Rob walked onto the stage with the girl, got down on one knee, pulled out a piece of paper. 'The audience imagined they were about to hear a heartfelt poem or a declaration of love. But, instead, Rob began reading the proclamation of Irish Independence.' A Month's Mind Mass is set for September 4 at the Upper Church of Saint Francis of Assisi in New York. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here
Irish Times
08-08-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Robert Dunne, son of former supermarket tycoon Ben Dunne, dies in New York
The death has taken place of Robert Dunne, son of the former head of Dunnes Stores, the late Ben Dunne. Mr Dunne, who was 50, died peacefully in New York on August 1st. He is to be buried on Monday in Castleknock Churchyard, Dublin, following a Requiem Mass at St Mochta's Church, Porterstown, Clonsilla. The Brehon Law Society of New York, where Mr Dunne worked as a lawyer, said it was with 'deep respect and remembrance' that it heard of the death of its President Emeritus. 'Rob's unwavering dedication to justice, his leadership within the Brehon Law Society, and his enduring commitment to the Irish-American legal community leave a lasting impression,' it said, announcing that a month's mind Mass is to be held in New York on September 4th. READ MORE Mr Dunne grew up in Castleknock, Co Dublin, attended Trinity College Dublin and the London School of Economics, worked in Dunnes Stores in the Ilac Centre, Dublin, and later moved to the US to work as a lawyer. He is survived by his mother, Mary, siblings Mark, Caroline and Nicholas, and wider family. Condolences posted on recalled his time in Castleknock, at Trinity, in the Ilac Centre, and in the US. 'I lived in NYC for twenty years and attended many interesting legal events invited by Rob. His laughter was infectious and wit, second to none. May he rest in peace,' said Antoin, formerly of Manhattan. In a moving interview with The Sunday Independent last year Mr Dunne spoke about being the son of one of the State's top business figures and a man whose life was filled with extraordinary controversy. Among the events he recalled was his father being kidnapped by the Provisional IRA in 1981, being arrested in Florida in 1992 when having a panic attack after taking cocaine, and the way his mother stuck with her husband during the ensuing controversy and his father's continuing struggles with cocaine. 'I think my dad developed what we would now call PTSD and he needed counselling,' Mr Dunne said in respect of the effect of the kidnapping. The fallout from the events in Florida included an audit being commissioned of Dunnes Stores accounts, which led in time to revelations about payments to Michael Lowry and the late Charles Haughey, and the associated inquiries by the McCracken and Moriarty tribunals. Mr Dunne told the newspaper that it was the events in Florida and the fallout from them that led to his decision to study law. He eventually set up his own firm in New York. Asked what he would say to his father, who died in 2023, Mr Dunne said he would tell him he couldn't have had a better father. 'You made lots of mistakes, but you owned all of them. Please know that I am nothing but proud of you.'
Extra.ie
07-08-2025
- Business
- Extra.ie
Robert Dunne, son of late businessman Ben Dunne, dies aged 50
Robert Dunne, the son of late tycoon Ben Dunne, has passed away at the age of 50. His death comes almost two years after the passing of his father, who suffered a fatal heart attack while on holiday in Dubai. Robert had been living in New York and was a successful attorney there. He is survived by his mother Mary, and siblings Mark, Caroline and Nicholas. Robert Dunne, the son of late tycoon Ben Dunne, has passed away at the age of 50. Pic: The Brehon Law Society of New York paid tribute to Mr Dunne on Monday, writing: 'It is with heavy hearts and deep respect and remembrance that we announce the passing of Robert 'Rob' Dunne, Brehon President Emeritus. 'Rob's unwavering dedication to justice, his leadership within the Brehon Law Society, and his enduring commitment to the Irish-American legal community leave a lasting impression.' Taking to social media, another person wrote: 'Dear Rob, gone way too soon. Our condolences to Mrs Dunne, Rob's brothers and sister and extended family and friends.' Benn Dunne. Pic: Gareth Chaney Collins Another added: 'Rob was such a smart and funny guy who was so passionate about his music. His passing is a huge shock and tremendous loss to all who knew him.' His death notice reads: 'Robert Dunne (New York, USA and formerly of Castleknock, Dublin 15) August 1st 2025 peacefully in New York. 'Darling son of Mary and the late Ben, dearly loved brother of Mark, Caroline and Nicholas and beloved uncle of Ben, Katie, Pearl and Joseph. 'Sadly missed by his loving mother, brothers, sister, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family, relatives and a large circle of friends.' Mr Dunne will repose at Cunningham's Funeral Home, Church Avenue, Blanchardstown on Sunday evening, August 10. His funeral will take place at St Mochta's Church, Porterstown, Clonsilla, on Monday morning, followed by burial in Castleknock Churchyard.
