KEVIN “BUNTY” DEMPSEY

It’s with real sadness we must announce the passing of one of the great characters and gentlemen of Irish greyhound racing, Kevin ‘Bunty’ Dempsey.

A part of the furniture at Longford for many years, he was a fearless layer and shrewd punter loved by many.

His dear friend Martin Tucker was in touch and put his thoughts and memories into words. Below is Martin’s tribute to his great friend.

***

“I had been expecting the call, but nonetheless it was very sad when it came, with the news of the passing of Longford legend Kevin "Bunty" Dempsey.
I'd confidently say in the last fifty five or so years, up to the time Longford Greyhound Stadium closed its doors for the final time in March 2020, there was very few meetings that "Bunty" would have missed!
He might have been Kevin, but everyone knew him as Bunty and he was a wealth of information and historian of knowledge about dogs, owners, trainers and breeding and he would often ring me or come up to me at Longford Track to look up something on Greyhound-Data from years gone by !!
Bunty was known back in the days, when there was serious "punting" and Bookmakers present, as the man to get a sizeable bet on for you and he could turn up anywhere from Lifford to Dunmore, Galway to Dundalk, Shelbourne or Harold's Cross and regular raids apart from Longford to Mullingar and Navan and calling a bet in on the nod!
Amazingly he never drove, but would always get there!
Bunty would travel with me to every round of the Derby over the years and I'd pick him up at his brother-in-law Dexters house in Longford.
I can tell a story, but the tales Kevin would tell me on the journey were unbelievable of a time of strokes, betting, characters and dogs and I often said we should write a book between us, but he rightly said we'd probably get jail if it was published!!
Kevin was a great supporter of Longford Track and was an active member of the Track Supporters Club and could be counted on to get "donations" from some of the big players in the game when the Track was in need of fund raising.
I had planned to do an interview with Kevin the next time I was in Ireland, but then I got word he was sick. When I rang him for a chat I told him what I had planned to do and he said when I was next over, which just happened to be a fortnight later to ring.

I rang him a couple of days before I was due to travel, but he told me he was going into hospital for a couple of days, but to be sure and ring before I went back to the UK. I rang on the Thursday lunchtime and he said he was just home that morning from Hospital but to call on my way to Dublin.

We had a great couple of hours that I recorded and we had a fun time reminiscing of the good times and of people gone by. Our chat was only the tip of the iceberg and we could have spent so much longer and had numerous more episodes, but it was good to have recorded what we did.

He said to promise that I wouldn't share the recording until after he had passed. I had a tear in my eye leaving that afternoon, knowing I wouldn't see him again or hear those stories.
My deepest sympathy to his wife Cathy, son Darren and brother Sean and brothers-in-law "Dexter" and Davy Brennan. Rest In Peace”

***

We echo the sentiments of Martin and wish to send our sincerest condolences on to the family of Kevin, his loving wife Cathy, son Darren, brother Sean, his extended family and many friends involved inside and out of the sport. May he Rest In Peace.    

Funeral Notice

Kevin (Bunty) Dempsey , St. Brigid’s Terrace , Longford . 15th January 2025, peacefully surrounded by his family. Kevin will be sadly missed and remembered with love by his family, his beloved wife Cathy, son Darren, brother Sean, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, niece, nephew, relatives, neighbours, former work colleagues and a wide circle of friends.

May he rest in Peace.

Reposing at Glennon’s Funeral Home, Ballinalee Road (N39 EC81) on Sunday 19th January from 5.00pm until 8.00pm. Mass of the Resurrection on Monday 20th January in St. Mel’s Cathedral at 11.00am, interment afterwards in Ballymacormack cemetery. 

The Funeral Mass will be streamed live please go www.longfordparish.com

Family flowers only please, donations if desired to Cians Kennels – www.cianskennels.ie

House private please.