Haughey ‘no role’ in Dunne kidnap ransom

The ransom paid to release Ben Dunne from IRA kidnappers in 1981 had nothing to do with then taoiseach Charles Haughey, the businessman has claimed.

The former Dunnes Stores executive also recalled in a radio interview how he joked with Sinn Féin leaders Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness about his kidnap ordeal at a more recent fundraising lunch.

Although he says he does not know who paid any ransom, Mr Dunne dismissed the suggestion that IR£1.5m was put up by developer Patrick Gallagher at Mr Haughey’s request.