Dawn Meats co-founder, Peter Queally from Kill, Co. Waterford, has passed away.
Peter, along with his brother John Queally and their partner, Dan Browne set up Dawn Meats in 1980.
The family owned business has since grown to a business with over €2.5 billion in annual revenue, employing over 8,000 staff in 12 countries.
It directly sources grass-fed cattle and lamb for processing at its 10 Irish and 13 UK sites.
The business grew to become one of Europe’s largest privately owned agriculture companies.
Dawn Meats holds many business-winning titles, such as the winner of the Quality Food Award in 2022, along with the Great Taste Award for the same year.
The sustainability credentials of Dawn Meats were recognised in 2018 after it received the McDonald’s Global ‘Scale for Good’ award.
The award reportedly recognised the key leadership role that Dawn Meats has played over many years in programmes which advance the cause of ethical, environmental and economic sustainability in European beef production.
The brothers, Peter and John also established the Arrow Group of Companies in the early 1980s.
Peter will be missed by his wife, Eileen, and children Liam, Marie-Louise, Ivor, Aisling, Barbara, Irene, Cathal and Rebecca.
He will also be missed by his grandchildren, daughters-in-law Rachel and Natalie, sons-in-law Sean and David, brother John, sister-in-law Carmel, nieces, nephews, extended family, relatives, neighbours and friends.
A requiem mass will take place on Tuesday, August 22.
Ibec chief executive officer (CEO), Danny McCoy has extended his condolences.
McCoy said: “Peter Queally was an innovative leader within the Irish food sector.”
“Peter exhibited an exceptional dedication to ethical and environmentally conscious beef production through his leadership.
“He consistently championed Irish business and his absence will be deeply felt, not only within the food sector but also the wider business community. My thoughts are with his wife Eileen, his children and the wider Queally family at this sad time,” McCoy added.