Death of Pat Dunne of Ross

The death occurred suddenly at his home at the weekend of Pat Dunne, former proprietor of Ross Filling Station at Tara. He was aged 69.

Son of the late Edward and Eileen Dunne of Woodlawn, Dunshaughlin, Pat ran the petrol station and shop business at Ross which was established by his parents.
He also had a keen interest in horse racing, and was involved in the ownership of Royal County Star, along with Francis Smyth of Dunsany and former Meath footballer, Jack Quinn of Scurlogstown. The horse won the 2007 Troytown Chase at Navan, trained by Tony Martin, and ridden by Robbie Colgan, and was placed second in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse in 2008, behind Gigginstown's Hear the Echo. Timmy Murphy was on board the 6/1 joint favourite that day.

A keen follower of Gaelic games, the filling station forecourt at Ross Cross was the venue for homecoming celebrations for Meath All Ireland winning senior football finals in the 1980s and 1990s, with Skryne always having an involvement on the teams. The filling station provided lots of employment for local youngsters over the decades, who all enjoyed their time working there.
Pat attended Skryne National School and St Finian's College, Mullingar, where he was due to attend the 50th anniversary reunion of his class of 1969 later this month. He was a convivial character, who enjoyed good company and storytelling, and will be missed.
He is survived by his son, Martin; grandchildren; brothers, Monsignor Edward, retired parish priest, Dunboyne, and Paul, Woodlawn, Dunshaughlin; sisters, Gladys Bourke, Ballyhack, Fairyhouse, and Barbara McAuley, Rathbeggan; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his brothers, Cyril, James and Gerry.

Chief celebrant at his funeral at St Colmcille's Church, Skryne, was Fr Tom O'Mahony, PP, Skryne, assisted by Fr Gerry Stuart, PP, Ratoath, Fr Patrick O'Connor, PP, Kilmessan-Dunsany, Fr Joe Clavin, AP, Dunshaughlin, and Fr Sean Henry, PP, Dunshaughlin, with retired Bishop of Meath, Dr michael Smith, in attendance.