23rd February - Senator James Dunne

Senator James Dunne (1921 – 1972)

#OnThisDay, 23rd February 1972 Senator James Dunne died in St. Joseph’s Nursing Home, Raheny.

Jimmy Dunne was a resident of St. Anne’s Estate, Raheny from 1954 until his death in 1972.  He was born and reared in the Pearse Street-South Quays area of Dublin. On leaving school he worked as a general labourer, later join the National Army and after the war, he worked for the Dublin Gas Company and the Electricity Supply Board.

He became General Secretary of the Marine Port and General Workers' Union in 1957 and was President of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions during 1968-69.

In 1969, Jimmy was elected to the Labour Panel of Seanad Éireann.  Senator Dunne participated actively in the Seanad during his period of service, which was sadly cut short by a serious and protracted illness.

You can read more about Senator James Dunne in the Raheny Heritage Society’s publication ‘Raheny Footprints’.