Ben Dunne
Encyclopedia
Ben Dunne is an Irish entrepreneur and former director of his family firm, Dunnes Stores
, one of the largest chains of department stores in Ireland. In 1981, he was kidnapped by the IRA and held for seven days. He was released unharmed.
In 1992, he was arrested for cocaine
possession and soliciting while on a golf holiday in Florida, USA.
He was again embroiled in scandal in the mid-1990s when it emerged he had given large amounts of money to a number of Irish politicians, mainly from the Fianna Fáil
party including the then Taoiseach
, Charles Haughey
. He also gave money to Michael Lowry
of Fine Gael
. Mr Justice Brian McCracken
, sole member of The McCracken Tribunal which was established by the Irish Government
in 1997, found that Dunne knowingly assisted Lowry evade tax.
He now owns a chain of low price fitness centres, Westpoint, Carlisle and Northwood, all based in Dublin, which he personally promotes on radio, using recent Irish advertising legislation which allows direct comparisons to named competitors.
In April 2005 he paid £3,000,000 for a 21 acres (84,984.1 m²) site in Motspur Park, New Malden (South London), former home of BBC Football Club and other BBC
sports facilities, and intends to apply for planning permission to build a leisure and fitness centre. However, he did not do so. Instead, in February 2008, his company Barkisland Developments Limited submitted a planning application to the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Council for change of use of the sports ground to a cemetery.
The application to change the former BBC Sports Ground into a cemetery was withdrawn on 3 October 2008. It had become clear that planning permission was likely to be refused. Objections were lodged by many local residents, sports clubs, Sport England and the Mayor of London.
Dunne was working on a new health club, to open in Dun Laoghaire
in Dublin, but abandoned the project due to complaints from local residents.
On 22 March 2011, the Moriarty Tribunal
concluded of Ben Dunne's dealings with Michael Lowry that "What was contemplated and attempted on the part of Mr Dunne and Mr Lowry was profoundly corrupt to a degree that was nothing short of breathtaking" – the report referring to its finding Mr Lowry sought to influence a rent review of a building part-owned by Mr Dunne.
Dunnes Stores
Dunnes Stores, also known as Dunnes, is a supermarket and clothing retail chain, that is based in Dublin, Ireland.The chain primarily sells food, clothes and household wares. In addition to its main customer base in Ireland, the chain has operations in Great Britain and Spain...
, one of the largest chains of department stores in Ireland. In 1981, he was kidnapped by the IRA and held for seven days. He was released unharmed.
In 1992, he was arrested for cocaine
Cocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...
possession and soliciting while on a golf holiday in Florida, USA.
He was again embroiled in scandal in the mid-1990s when it emerged he had given large amounts of money to a number of Irish politicians, mainly from the Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
party including the then Taoiseach
Taoiseach
The Taoiseach is the head of government or prime minister of Ireland. The Taoiseach is appointed by the President upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas , and must, in order to remain in office, retain the support of a majority in the Dáil.The current Taoiseach is...
, Charles Haughey
Charles Haughey
Charles James "Charlie" Haughey was Taoiseach of Ireland, serving three terms in office . He was also the fourth leader of Fianna Fáil...
. He also gave money to Michael Lowry
Michael Lowry
Michael Lowry is an Irish politician. He is currently a Teachta Dála for the Tipperary North constituency and continues to enjoy high popularity in his constituency despite being the subject of a criminal investigation resulting from various scandals while in office.-Local government and...
of Fine Gael
Fine Gael
Fine Gael is a centre-right to centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland. It is the single largest party in Ireland in the Oireachtas, in local government, and in terms of Members of the European Parliament. The party has a membership of over 35,000...
. Mr Justice Brian McCracken
Brian McCracken
Brian Moore McCracken is a retired judge of the Supreme Court of Ireland. He is an officer of the Trinity College, Dublin - Visitor of the College.-Education and career:...
, sole member of The McCracken Tribunal which was established by the Irish Government
Irish Government
The Government of Ireland is the cabinet that exercises executive authority in Ireland.-Members of the Government:Membership of the Government is regulated fundamentally by the Constitution of Ireland. The Government is headed by a prime minister called the Taoiseach...
in 1997, found that Dunne knowingly assisted Lowry evade tax.
He now owns a chain of low price fitness centres, Westpoint, Carlisle and Northwood, all based in Dublin, which he personally promotes on radio, using recent Irish advertising legislation which allows direct comparisons to named competitors.
In April 2005 he paid £3,000,000 for a 21 acres (84,984.1 m²) site in Motspur Park, New Malden (South London), former home of BBC Football Club and other BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
sports facilities, and intends to apply for planning permission to build a leisure and fitness centre. However, he did not do so. Instead, in February 2008, his company Barkisland Developments Limited submitted a planning application to the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Council for change of use of the sports ground to a cemetery.
The application to change the former BBC Sports Ground into a cemetery was withdrawn on 3 October 2008. It had become clear that planning permission was likely to be refused. Objections were lodged by many local residents, sports clubs, Sport England and the Mayor of London.
Dunne was working on a new health club, to open in Dun Laoghaire
Dún Laoghaire
Dún Laoghaire or Dún Laoire , sometimes anglicised as "Dunleary" , is a suburban seaside town in County Dublin, Ireland, about twelve kilometres south of Dublin city centre. It is the county town of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County and a major port of entry from Great Britain...
in Dublin, but abandoned the project due to complaints from local residents.
On 22 March 2011, the Moriarty Tribunal
Moriarty Tribunal
The Tribunal of Inquiry into certain Payments to Politicians and Related Matters was an Irish Public inquiry established in 1997 into the financial affairs of politicians Charles Haughey and Michael Lowry. It has revealed significant tax evasion by these and other politicians and leading...
concluded of Ben Dunne's dealings with Michael Lowry that "What was contemplated and attempted on the part of Mr Dunne and Mr Lowry was profoundly corrupt to a degree that was nothing short of breathtaking" – the report referring to its finding Mr Lowry sought to influence a rent review of a building part-owned by Mr Dunne.