Dan O’Donohoe (63) of Foxrock, Dublin, who collapsed and died suddenly at the beginning of April, was a well-known figure in the Irish baking industry, writes Hugh Oram.

In the late 1970s, he was managing director of plant bakery Bolands in Dublin. But trading and union restrictions on plant bakeries at that time meant severe difficulties and, despite many rationalisation and modernisation measures, the plant ultimately closed in 1984.

Dan O’Donohoe then set up a number of high street hot bread shops in Dublin. Their eventual closure signalled the end of his involvement in baking, although he remained involved in flour importing.

He is survived by his wife Wendy, one daughter, Luci, four sons, Andrew, Danny, Jamie and Stephen, and 10 grandchildren.

His funeral mass, attended by many former bakery trade colleagues, was held at a church in Foxrock, Dublin and was followed by a burial at Glencullen cemetery.