DiscoverFree State with Joe Brolly and Dion FanningHow Ben Dunne bought and sold Ireland
How Ben Dunne bought and sold Ireland

How Ben Dunne bought and sold Ireland

Update: 2025-11-15
Share

Description

‘Thanks a million, big fella.’ Charlie Haughey’s words to Ben Dunne summed up how Ireland worked for many.

But who was Ben Dunne and what were the compulsions that drove him?

On Free State today Matt Cooper talks about his gripping new book Dynasty about the Dunnes family.

It looks at how Ben Dunne Senior built an empire and how Ben Jr never recovered from the kidnapping.

He talks to us about the scene in Florida where, after taking a mountain of cocaine in a hotel with parrots roaming the lobby, Ben Dunne had a breakdown. He was hog tied and taken out of the hotel and it became an event which would eventually provide a glimpse into how Ireland works.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Comments 
00:00
00:00
x

0.5x

0.8x

1.0x

1.25x

1.5x

2.0x

3.0x

Sleep Timer

Off

End of Episode

5 Minutes

10 Minutes

15 Minutes

30 Minutes

45 Minutes

60 Minutes

120 Minutes

How Ben Dunne bought and sold Ireland

How Ben Dunne bought and sold Ireland