RTE viewers all left with same complaint about the new documentary on former supermarket tycoon Ben Dunne.
The RTE documentary, Extraordinary Life: The Ben Dunne Story, revealed the highs and lows of the businessman’s life and career.
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Ben took over the Dunnes Stores empire after the death of his father in 1983 and increased the number of stores nationwide from 67 to 97 and the turnover from €300m to €1 billion.
He was renowned for being extremely kind and generous to the families of any staff members who died or suffered serious illness.
The RTE documentary looked at the rollercoaster of Dunne’s life, from taking over the family supermarket, to being kidnapped by the IRA while on the way to Newry to open a new store.
His kidnapping by the IRA in October 1981 had a severe impact on him mentally and even though he lived to tell the tale after a £1million ransom was paid, it caused him great distress and many dark days.
Instead of getting counselling and psychiatric help, he turned to cocaine, resulting in an addiction that led to him being arrested by police at a hotel in Orlando, Florida, in 1992 – where he threatened to jump off a 17-floor balcony and had to be talked down.
His arrest was famously witnessed by members of U2, who were entering the hotel as he was being led out in handcuffs by US police officers.
But rather than cover it up, Ben went public, telling the whole country of his addiction issues while his wife Mary bravely stood by him.
The show featured an interview with the police officer who tried to stop drug-fuelled Ben from taking his own life at the Florida hotel.
The documentary also looks at Dunne’s controversial payments to politicians like Charlie Huaghey and Michael Lowry and the tribunals held into these payments, as well as his family feud over the supermarket, and his rise as a businessman again.
Popular presenter Joe Duffy appeared in the documentary having interviewed Dunne several times and held him to account on his Liveline show.
RTE viewers were all left saying the same thing as they raced to social media to share their opinions.
Ronan wrote: “The Ben Dunne documentary was entertaining, but it was also a cut and paste job. It didn’t tell us anything that we didn’t know about him before if you’ve been following the various tribunals.”
Joan wrote: “Ben Dunne died last November. It seems more than tasteless to broadcast this programme about him before his first anniversary.”
Mags joked: “I’ll never look at my 10 off 50 vouchers in the same way ever again.”
DUNNE’S LIFE
Another added: “Some hatchet job on RTE on Ben Dunne. Disgraceful, really seen all he achieved in retail.”
The business tycoon, 74, was sitting by the pool at the popular Jumeirah Beach Hotel when he suffered a massive heart attack.
It is understood a close doctor friend was also with him and made a desperate bid to save his life.
Ben’s heartbroken wife Mary wasn’t on the trip with him.
The businessman wrote a popular consumer column in The Irish Sun between 2009 and 2012.
His devastated son Robert revealed: “My dad is dead. He had a massive heart attack and just didn’t make it. Simple as that.
“Overall, in the final analysis, he was a good and decent man.
“I’m going to miss him in a way I can’t even describe in words.”
His family would visit Dubai a couple of times a year and he loved the golf courses there, as well as the sunny weather in winter.
The former supermarket tycoon and gym owner was a member of Portmarnock Golf Club, the K Club and Co Louth Club, Baltray.
