How Ben Dunne bought and sold Ireland

E307 - How Ben Dunne bought and sold Ireland

Published: November 15, 2025

Duration: 44:45

‘Thanks a million, big fella.’ Charlie Haughey’s words to Ben Dunne summed up how Ireland worked for many.

But who was Ben Dunne and what were the compulsions that drove him?

On Free State today Matt Cooper talks about his gripping new book Dynasty about the Dunnes family.

It looks at how Ben Dunne Senior built an empire and how Ben Jr never recovered from the kidnapping.

He talks to us about the scene in Florida where, after taking a mountain of cocaine in a hotel with parrots roaming the lobby...

How Ben Dunne bought and sold Ireland - Free State with Joe Brolly and Dion Fanning