Full military funeral for Col Mick Dunne

The first full military funeral in the country for a retired Army veteran since Covid-19 struck was that of retired Colonel Michael (Mick) Dunne in Mullingar last Wednesday.

Col Dunne of Newlands, Mullingar, passed away peacefully on October 30 at the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar. An officer and a gentleman, a man with a great sense of humour and a huge sense of humanity, treating all equally regardless of rank – these were some of the many tributes paid to the late Mick Dunne by his army comrades, rugby associates, those who knew him socially or from holidays and those who cherished him as a friend, neighbour and nice person to be around.

The esteem in which the late Col Dunne was held was evident from the large turnout at his removal and funeral. Several retired senior officers, local and national, including Mullingar’s Brigadier General Ger Buckley, based in EU Headquarters in Brussels and Col Paul Whelan, based in the Curragh, Brigadier General Brian Cleary, Officer Commanding 1 Brigade in Collins Barracks, Cork, Col Pat Whyte, EO 2 Brigade, based in Dublin, and the local military community were in attendance.

The Military Bearer Party from 2 Brigade Artillery Regiment Costume Barracks, Athlone, that rendered military ceremonial honours consisted of Bty Sgt Brian Lally, Sgt Kenny McCaul, Sgt Fergal McLoughlin, Sgt Willie Archibald, Sgt Jason Rattigan, Cpl Eddie Donlon, Cpl Ray Cassidy and Cpl Ray Thompson, with BQMS Olly Mahedy and Sgt Mark Mulvaney in logistic support.

Michael Dunne was born on March 14, 1940 and joined the 33 Cadet Class of 1959-1960. He was commissioned on December 19, 1960. He was appointed to the Artillery Corps and posted to 4 Field Artillery Regiment in Columb Barracks, Mullingar. In the rank of captain, Mick served as Troop Commander, Heavy Mortar Troop, 11 Infantry Group of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, from September 1968 to March 1969. As a commandant, he commanded 8 Battery of 4 Field Artillery Regiment and the 9th Field Artillery Regiment An Forsa Cosanta Aitiuil, and 4 Garrison Military Police Company.

Mick served with UNTSO in 1979/1980 and was posted to Tiberias and Jerusalem. During the period 1984/1985, he served as Head of Mission Security in HQ UNIFIL and returned as Senior Staff Officer Operations in 1989/1990. In 1996, he served with the European Union (Community) Monitor Mission in the former Yugoslavia, and during the Irish Presidency of the European Council in the second half of 1996, he was Head of Support in the Mission’s headquarters in Zagreb.

Apart from his army career, Mick was a life member, former vice-president and treasurer of Mullingar Rugby Football Club. A loyal supporter of the club, he served on and chaired a number of committees and regularly attended matches, both home and away.

In the early days when the main pitch was prone to flooding in winter, Mick gathered a group together and, with military precision, sorted out the problem. His success rate representing players brought before the Leinster Branch was legendary.

Col Dunne is mourned by his devoted wife Marjorie and children Fiona, Michael Jnr and Alison, grandchildren Mia, Shay and Ross, daughter-in-law Magda, son-in-law Greg, brothers Joe and Tom, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and extended family, neighbours and his many friends everywhere.

Col Dunne’s remains were removed to the Cathedral of Christ the King on Tuesday of last week for funeral Mass on Wednesday, followed by burial in Ballyglass Cemetery.

His family asked that donations in lieu of flowers, if desired, be made to Friends of the Regional Hospital, Mullingar.