Former Garda Richard Quirke (77) was the owner of Dr Quirkey’s Good Time Emporium which he set up on O’Connell Street in Dublin in 1976.
He is survived by his wife, Ann, and children, Wesley and Andy. Both of Mr Quirke’s sons became well-known figures in public life. Wesley Quirke is married to former Miss World Rosanna Davison while Andy was the creator and star of the TV show Damo and Ivor.
A notice on rip.ie said Mr Quirke, who is originally from Co Tipperary, passed away peacefully at his home in Cabinteely, Dublin 18 last weekend.
His funeral Mass takes place on Saturday morning at 11am in the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Foxrock followed by interment in Kilternan Cemetery Park, Kilternan, Dublin 18.
Paying tribute, one friend wrote: ‘”Sincerest condolences to Ann and all of the Quirke Family on the passing of Dick. A business titan, he was an inspiration person and will be missed; may he rest in peace.”
Another wrote: “He was an absolute gentleman, I used to enjoy the fist pump before our conversation & advice he would give to me on the Main Street over the last 25 years.”
Dr Quirkey’s is owned and operated by Dublin Pool and Juke Box Limited and has several super-sized slot machine businesses dotted around Dublin. The after-tax profits for 2023 alone amounted to a multi-million amount of €8,654,935.
Mr Quirke will also always be remembered for his Tipperary Venue Project. The Tipperary Venue was a proposed super casino development on a projected 325 hectares (800 acres) site adjacent to the M8 Motorway at Two Mile Borris in County Tipperary.
As originally planned, the project proposed the building of an all-weather racecourse and greyhound tracks, equestrian centre, 500 room hotel, eighteen hole golf course, 15,000 capacity “underground entertainment” venue, heliport, a replica of the White House and a “Las Vegas style Strip” casino.
In 2017, it was reported that Ireland’s gambling legislation did not support the proposed development. The planning permission for the proposed project expired in 2018.
