'A visionary leader': Tributes paid following death of Cork native and co-founder of Dawn Meats

Dawn Meats has announced that its co-founder and Douglas native Daniel (Dan) Browne has died at the age of 88.

Described by the company as "a pioneering figure in Irish agriculture", Mr Browne was managing director of Dawn Meats for 27 years.

Under the leadership of Mr Browne, Dawn Meats developed into one of Europe’s leading meat processing companies.

In a statement, the Board of Dawn Meats expressed its “deepest condolences to Mr Browne’s wife, Kay, and his family at this difficult time".

“Mr Browne was a pioneering figure in Irish agriculture and made an outstanding contribution to the Irish agri-food industry and the meat industry in particular," the company said in a statement.

Mr Browne was from a farming background in Douglas in Co Cork and started his career as a research scientist.

He worked with An Foras Talúntais, the agricultural research institute, initially at the grassland research centre at Johnstown Castle in Wexford, before moving back to Cork in 1959, where he developed a national dairy research centre at Moorepark outside Fermoy.

In 1974, Mr Browne moved into the meat industry and became manager of the Cork Marts IMP plant in Midleton.

Then in 1980 Mr Browne, along with John Queally and the late Peter Queally, established Dawn Meats.

Mr Browne retired from his role as managing director in 2007, but continued to be a board member of Dawn Meats.

Mr Browne was chair of the board at Teagasc from 1993 to 1998 and Chair of the board of An Bord Bia from 2008 to 2011. He also was Chair of Waterford Airport since 2010.

Commenting, Ibec CEO Danny McCoy said: “It is with deep sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Dan Browne, a distinguished and highly respected figure in Irish business.

"As co-founder of Dawn Meats, Dan played a pivotal role in transforming the company into one of Europe’s leading meat processing enterprises, employing over 8,000 people across 12 countries.

“Dan was a visionary leader whose commitment to ethical, sustainable and environmentally conscious practices set new standards in the Irish food sector.

"Through his chairmanship of both Teagasc and Bord Bia he was a tireless advocate for the broader Irish food industry.” 

He added: "Dan’s passing is a profound loss and he will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of working with or knowing him.

"We extend our deepest condolences to Dan’s family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time.”