Dempsey joined business in 1979 and stayed there three decades

Ray O’Rourke has paid tribute to former Laing O’Rourke deputy chairman Bernard Dempsey who passed away last week aged 77.

Dempsey joined O’Rourke at the end of the 1970s and retired from it, when it was known as Laing O’Roukre, in 2011. he was one of three shareholders in the company alongside alongside O’Rourke and his late brother Des.

In a statement, Ray O’Rourke said: “We are deeply saddened by the death of Bernard Dempsey.

Ray o'rourke

Ray O’Rourke (pictured) said Dempsey was “revered” across the industry

“Bernard first joined the business in 1979 as a quantity surveyor and went on to become a director, deputy chairman and shareholder. He was well-known and revered across our great industry. Our deepest sympathies are with Bernard’s family and friends at this difficult time.”

One former colleague, who asked not to be named, added: “Very sad, a great man. He never wanted to be the one on a pedestal but behind the scenes his unassuming, often discrete counsel, changed so many of us in a monumental way.”

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