Ms Margaret Heffernan: known as much for her formidable energy as her formidable temperament. Prior to her brother Ben's visit to Florida in 1992 in which he became entangled in the drugs and hostess controversy, she was better known for her philanthropy.
Described as a strict Catholic who "disapproves of any kind of over indulgence", she set about undoing the damage she felt her brother had done the company, and he eventually left the company with a £100 million payout.
One senior executive said of her, during a fraught time at the company recently, "Margaret is not enjoying any of this, but, by God, she is determined that she is right and that she is going to settle this row for once and for all."
She was born in Cork in 1942, and is the eldest daughter of the Dunne family. In 1956 she began working for the company at its shop on Patrick Street in Cork, becoming a director in 1964. She won the (Dublin) Lord Mayor's millennium award for her charity work in 1988, and set up People In Need in 1989. In 1992 she was fined £50 when a subsidiary of Dunnes in Co Kildare was the first company to be prosecuted under the Protection of Employment Act.
She is married to Dr Andrew Heffernan, who works as a consultant endocrinologist at the Blackrock Clinic. They have four children.
Mr Frank Dunne: Eldest son of the family, he and brother Ben (the youngest son) became joint managing directors of the company on their father's death. Sisters Margaret, Elizabeth, and Therese were directors. Until his brother had problems in Florida, Frank Dunne played a less active role in the company, devoting his time to the family 300 acre Mitchelstown stud near Athboy in Co Meath. As Ben's fortunes went into decline at the company he began to be more active, usually in support of his sister Margaret. He is believed to have played a central role in the events of the weekend.
Mr Andrew Street: former director of information systems at the British pharmacy chain Boots and a recent Dunnes' recruit, Mr Street (44) was described as "polite" after becoming the first member of company board to take part in industrial relations negotiations last month. He listened attentively only taking an active part when he felt he had something to contribute.
A chartered engineer and computer science graduate, he was born in Holyhead and worked for, Boots for 12 years, before which, he had been with IBM and the Greater Manchester Transport Authority. He is believed to have been recruited by the company to help update its technology. His official title at Dunnes is director with responsibility for information systems and logistics.
Mr Dick Reeves: was poached three months ago by Dunnes from Quinnsworth, where he was managing director. It was regarded as a bombshell at the time. Mr Reeves (53) studied law at UCD and Kings Inns before beginning his retailing career at Dunnes, where he worked for 14 years as a buyer.
In 1983 he moved to Quinnsworth as a food buyer. He is married with three children, and sails in his spare time. Said to be a hard worker he is described as very astute, bright, tough, and committed, serious and not particularly personable.
Mr Owen McNulty: another quiet man, he became general secretary of Mandate on its foundation in early 1994. The union resulted from an amalgamation of the Irish Distributive and Administrative Trade Union (IDATU) and the Irish National Union of Vintners, Grocers, and Allied Trade Assistants. He came from the IDATU end of this merger, having been area organiser for the union in the north east.
In his mid 50s, he still lives in Dundalk with his wife and three of their seven children. Described as "surprisingly non confrontational", he is said to be very much a dealer who sticks by his deals. He has also been described as "single minded" and "dogged".
