Emergency nurse saved four lives even after his heartbreaking death
Portlaoise hospital emergency nurse Joe Dunne had an extraordinary impact during his short life. Image: RIP.ie
A PORTLAOISE hospital nurse who had an extraordinary impact on patients, colleagues and the wider community was laid to rest on Sunday, one week after a tragic accident claimed his life.
Huge crowds gathered in his home village of Ballyfin to honour Joe Dunne, a gifted nurse in the emergency department at Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise (MRHP) who was renowned for his kindness, dedication and joyful spirit.
Even after death Joe continued to help others, as his organs were donated to four patients on transplant waiting lists.
At the funeral mass on 8 March, chief celebrant Fr David Vard PP said: “Joe gave four people life. He was a nurse until the very end and we thank him for that.”
An advanced nurse practitioner (ANP) who came to Portlaoise from Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore (MRHT) in 2014, Joe’s sudden death has devastated his family, friends and colleagues, most of all his heartbroken wife Helen and their three young children Chloe, Joe and Conor.
Colleagues from MRHP and MRHT joined a guard of honour provided by Ballyfin GAA and Ballyfin Ladies GAA as his coffin was carried into St Fintan’s Church, where it was received by Mountrath and Ballyfin parish priest Fr Joe Brophy.
As he led the ceremony, Fr Vard told the congregation: “Joe’s life was cut far too short … but it is clear that his life touched a large number of people. Nursing means standing beside people in their moments of fear and vulnerability. It requires compassion and a generous heart and it says a great deal about the type of person Joe was.”
Having cancelled all matches at the weekend as a mark of respect, Ballyfin GAA captured the beloved nurse’s far-reaching impact in an online tribute that said: ‘Joe was a radiant light in a world where lights can at times feel rare.
‘He brightened every and any room he entered with a joke, or a slag for divilment followed quickly by his cheeky laugh, often singing the particular line of divilment … all situations could be sorted out with some humour.’
Highlighting his remarkable contribution to nursing, the club said: ‘Joe was a carer at heart, with a gift for knowing when those around him needed a word or a call to lift their spirits. He found his true calling in his profession in nursing, his reputation spreading across the midlands as that male nurse from Ballyfin who, in Tullamore and Portlaoise hospitals, put everyone at ease and looked after them and their loved ones with the greatest of professional care and good humour.
‘A huge loss to his profession, his colleagues, Ballyfin community, Ballyfin GAA, his friends and ultimately his adoring family, he was loved by all, young and old.’
Joe’s sudden death from a brain injury following an accidental fall, while on a weekend visit to Co Clare, caused overwhelming shock and grief for his family, friends and colleagues.
Prayers of the faithful at his funeral mass, read by his adored children and their cousins, included a thoughtful tribute to emergency services and staff at University Hospital Limerick, for the “excellent care, compassion and dignity” they showed Joe and his family following the tragedy.
Gifts carried to the altar included four family photographs with a Statue of Liberty, symbolising his love for his family and their many adventures together.
Other gifts reflected his astonishing array of talents, particularly as a carpenter, farmer and musician. A trusty hammer represented his skill as a craftsman and his guitar symbolised his love of music and entertaining, while a handful of soil from his beloved farm in Rossmore travelled with him to his final resting place in St Fintan’s Cemetery.
Joe’s work scrubs were also carried to the altar, reflecting his dedicated love of nursing and caring for others.
Most of all, he was dedicated to his family and loved to cook for family gatherings. The final gift brought to the altar was a bottle of olive oil, with a picture of the beautiful meal he cooked for his beloved wife Helen on St Valentine’s Day, just a few weeks ago.
In a moving eulogy, Joe’s sister Chris Byrne recalled “an amazing little brother” who lived for his family, who brought a smile and quick wit everywhere he went, who wore his heart on his sleeve with his deep love for Helen and was “the best dad ever” to the children he was so proud of.
On behalf of the family, Chris thanked everyone who helped them in any way, who shared stories of Joe that brought them joy and laughter during a very sad week and all those who left countless beautiful messages on RIP.ie.
She finished by reading one particularly resonant message from a former nursing colleague, which said: ‘In a world where you can be anything, be a Joe Dunne.’
The tribute was written by Emma Fogarty, a former colleague at MRHT emergency department, who also said: ‘A light has gone out in the nursing community. Joe was an absolute pleasure to work alongside; he was the type of person every nurse should strive to be.’
Thousands of tributes were paid to the much-loved nurse following the tragedy. Staff at the Portlaoise hospital's Acute Medical Assessment Unit (AMAU) described Joe as ‘a wonderful colleague, generous with his time and knowledge, while providing exceptional care to patients’.
They added: 'After he moved to ED, he still popped his head around the door to chat or play the occasional prank on us. We will remember him with great affection.’
Among more than 200 tributes on the Facebook page last week, one mother wrote: ‘My 2.5 year old was in with Joe only two weeks ago. He was fantastic. He sat on the floor, he stood on the bed, he let her investigate everything in the room. Whatever she did, wherever she went, he just followed her around and worked on her broken arm, whilst leaving her content and distracted. He even gave us his direct line so we could get in touch if she had any issues.
‘We spend a lot of time in hospital due to said two year old having a genetic issue, we interact with a lot of medical professionals regularly. Joe honestly made top of the list, he was just so good. My daughter is still talking about "the nice doctor" two weeks later, referring to ANP Joe. MRHP have lost a huge asset.’
Another follower replied: ‘That was Joe. An absolute gentle soul of a man dedicated to his job and family. You couldn't have met a nicer person. A massive loss and truly a sad day.’
Joe trained as a nurse at TUS Athlone and worked at St James’s Hospital and Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin before moving to MRHT.
In a tribute outlining Joe’s exceptional dedication, the IAANMP (Irish Association of Advanced Nurse and Midwife Practitioners) professional body said his commitment to patient care was evident throughout his distinguished career.
The tribute said: 'His warm demeanour, clinical expertise and collegial spirit enriched the lives of patients, families and fellow practitioners alike. Joe’s professional contributions have left an enduring impact on the community he served and on the broader advanced practice nursing landscape in Ireland.
'He was known among colleagues for his integrity, humility and generous spirit. His calm presence and sound clinical judgement made a lasting impression on those privileged to work alongside him. His presence will be greatly missed by all who knew him.’
Predeceased by his parents Jack and Anne and mother-in-law Breda Quigley, Joe is sadly missed and dearly loved by his heartbroken wife Helen, children Chloe, Joe and Conor, brother Eamon (Sammy), sisters Anne (O’Rourke), Chris (Byrne) and Theresa (Ramsbottom), father-in-law Joe Quigley, sisters-in-law Nuala, Ann Marie, and Sarah, brothers-in-law Alan, John, Paul, Brendan and Joe, his adored nieces and nephews, aunt Sheila, cousins and his wide circle of friends and nursing colleagues.
