Businessman Ben Dunne has died at the age of 74.
It is understood he died while on a trip to Dubai.
He was a former director of the family business, Dunnes Stores, one of Ireland’s largest retail groups.
He is survived by his wife Mary and their four children.
Born in Cork on March 11th, 1949, Mr Dunne was the youngest of six children of Nora Maloney and Ben Dunne, the founder of Dunnes Stores.
In 1981, the businessman was kidnapped by the IRA and held for seven days – he was released a week later after Irish businessman and friend Patrick Gallagher paid a £1 million ransom.
His role in Dunnes Stores ended in 1992 after he was arrested in Florida for cocaine possession.
Mr Dunne’s eventually led to revelations that he had secretly paid off politicians including former Taoiseach Charles Haughey.
He also founded a chain of fitness centres in Dublin and Liverpool.
