The family of the late Fermanagh native Gordon Dunne, a former Democratic Unionist Party MLA for North Down has paid tribute to a people person with a “warm” and “pleasant” personality.

Gordon Mervyn Dunne MBE, late of Holywood, County Down, passed away peacefully at the age of 62 on June 20, 2021 following a short battle with cancer.

Describing Gordon as a “very warm character” with a “genuine Christian faith”, Gordon’s brother Alistair Dunne spoke highly of his older sibling.

“He was a great brother of mine, he and I were very close,” he said.

Echoing this, Gordon’s brother Samuel Dunne said: “He was always the member of the family that I looked up to when I was young.

“He had a pleasant personality and he was working with people a lot in his job.”

The eldest boy in a family of seven children, Gordon was brought up in the Kilskeery area before his family settled at a farm in the townland of Dring on the outskirts of Ballinamallard.

As a child he attended Queen Elizabeth II Primary School at Kilskeery and continued his education at Omagh Academy before finishing his schooling at Portora Royal School. He later attended the Further Education (FE) College in Enniskillen.

“Gordon spent a number of years at the FE College and he enjoyed that. He then went to work in Holywood, Co. Down with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) as an engineer. He trained there [as an apprentice] and spent about 30 years with the MOD,” said Alistair.

Discovering an interest in politics as a young man, when he moved to Holywood, Gordon joined the local DUP branch. He later became a local councillor in North Down.

“In recent years he joined the Assembly, he was there about 10 years,” explained Alistair, adding that in his roles as a DUP councillor and later as an MLA, his brother spent about 36 years in politics in total.

Gordon stepped down from the Northern Ireland Assembly earlier this month due to his illness.

‘Highly valued’

Following in his father’s footsteps, Gordon’s son Councillor Stephen Dunne is taking over his role as an MLA for the North Down area.

First Minister Paul Givan and deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill have expressed their sadness at the death of the former North Down MLA.

First Minister Paul Givan said: “Gordon was a highly valued friend and colleague and I am deeply saddened by news of his death. I worked closely with Gordon on the Justice Committee and his contribution to the Assembly will be sorely missed.

“As so many will testify, he was man of honour and integrity, who worked tirelessly in the service of others. I send my deepest sympathies and my prayers to his family at this difficult time.”

Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill added: “I was really sad to learn about Gordon Dunne’s passing. Gordon was a well-respected member of the Assembly, a gentle and good-natured character who had time for everyone he met. “I send my condolences to his family, friends and colleagues at this very sad time.”

In 2016, Gordon was recognised with an MBE by Her Majesty The Queen in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in June for his prolonged years of work in politics.

Aside from his political work, Gordon had a keen interest in motorsport.

“He was a great advocate for motorsport across Northern Ireland. Gordon was very fond of the local rallies while he also enjoyed going to NW 200 and the WRC events,” said Alistair, noting how his brother had close ties with Alistair Fisher, Gordon Noble and Garry Jennings from the local rally scene.

“Even in latter days these drivers sent some delightful video clips to encourage him to improve but that wasn’t to be,” he said, adding: “Sadly his cancer was confirmed in late February this year which is tragic as he only had a few months. It rapidly spread and he sadly passed away on Sunday evening.”

Gordon’s funeral service took place at Martyrs’ Memorial Free Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, June 23.

Much loved husband of Gillian, adored dad of Andrew, Stephen and Amy, cherished son-in-law of William and Amy Coulter and father-in-law of Stephanie. Gordon was a devoted brother of Eileen, Lorna, Alistair, Basil, Samuel and Caroline.

“Gordon will be greatly missed by his whole family circle but we are blessed and re-assured that we will all meet again in heaven on one special day.”