Former parish priest of Dunboyne, Monsignor Edward Dunne has died
The former Parish Priest of Dunboyne, Monsignor Edward Dunne, who was honoured for his bravery under fire in the Lebanon, has died.
A native of Skryne, Mons Dunne had served in Dunboyne, Donore and Stamullen as a curate and was a former army chaplain.
He was the only chaplain to have been awarded An Bonn Míleata Calmachta (the Distinguished Service medal).
It was awarded “For dedication to duty above the ordinary and for displaying courage under fire in bringing spiritual succour to a wounded comrade during a night attack by hostile forces on the Headquarters of the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon at Naqoura on 19th April 1979."
Msgr Dunne was born in Skryne parish on 07 August 1938.
Following his primary education in Skryne NS, he attended St Finian’s College in Mullingar an was ordained in Rome in 1963 following studies at the Irish College.
On his return to his native diocese, Msgr Dunne served in the parishes of Rahan (1963), Dunboyne (1964 – during which time he also worked in the Apostolic Nunciature), Donore (1965), Coole (1968) and Stamullen (1969).
He was appointed Chaplain to the Forces at Gormanston Camp in November 1970 and served with 24 Inf Gp in Cyprus in summer of 1973, and on winter trips in Lebanon with 44 Infantry Battalion in 1978 and 48th Infantry Battalion in 1980.
Msgr Dunne was appointed Head Chaplain to the Forces in October 1981 and was based at McKee Barracks, Dublin.
He was appointed a Prelate of Honour of His Holiness on 6th April 1985 with the title of Monsignor. He served as Head Chaplain to the Forces at McKee Barracks and at Defence Forces Headquarters until his retirement in 1991.
Msgr Dunne was appointed Parish Priest of Dunboyne and Kilbride in 1991 and served there until his retirement in 2007.
As President of the St Oliver Plunkett Union in 1994, Msgr Dunne worked to foster the work of the students and alumni of the Pontifical College in Rome.
As a chaplain to the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, Msgr Dunne led many pilgrimages to the Holy Land.
His remains will be reposing in SS Peter and Paul Church, Dunboyne tomorrow (Wednesday) and his funeral mass will take place in Dunboyne on Thursday at 12 noon followed by burial in Rooske cemetery.