ARCOIreland regrets to inform its members of the death of Monsignor Edward (Ted) Dunne DSM, former Head Chaplain to the Forces, on 14 September 2020. Peacefully, at Knightsbridge Care Unit, Trim. Monsignor Edward will be sadly missed by his sisters Gladys and Barbara, brother Paul, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and Defence Forces friends and colleagues.
May he Rest in Peace
Ted, as he was affectionately known to all he served with, was born in Skryne parish on 07 August 1938. Following his primary education at the local National School, he attended St Finian’s College in Mullingar and was ordained in Rome in 1963 following studies at the Irish College there.
On his return to Ireland he served in parishes in his native diocese before being appointed as a Chaplain to the Forces at Gormanston Camp, County Meath in November 1970. He served with 24 Infantry Group UNFICYP in Cyprus in the summer of 1973, and on winter trips with UNIFIL in Lebanon with 44 Infantry Battalion in 1978 and 48 Infantry Battalion in 1980.
Fr Dunne is the only chaplain to have been awarded An Bonn Míleata Calmachta (the Distinguished Service medal). The Citation reads:
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.
Fr Dunne was appointed Head Chaplain to the Forces on 03 October 1981 based at McKee Barracks, Dublin. He was appointed a Prelate of Honour of His Holiness on 06 April 1985 with the title of Monsignor. He served as Head Chaplain to the Forces until his retirement from the Defence Forces in 1991 and was then appointed Parish Priest of Dunboyne & Kilbride until his retirement in 2007.
Monsignor Dunne will repose at SS Peter and Paul’s Church, Dunboyne from 6pm until 9pm on Wednesday. The Funeral Mass will take place on Thursday at 12 noon followed by burial in Rooske cemetery. In accordance with current guidelines attendance will be restricted. The Mass may be followed on the following LINK.
Members may wish to leave personal messages in the ‘Condolences’ section of Monsignor Dunne’s death notice on rip.ie –
https://rip.ie/death-notice/monsignor-edward-dunne-d.s.m.-dunshaughlin-meath/433621#!photo
