CURRAGH Racecourse chief executive Brian Kavanagh has paid tribute to Colm McLoughlin, the former chief executive of Dubai Duty Free, who died this week, aged 81.

Born in Ballinasloe, McLoughlin was a member of the original consultancy team from Aer Rianta, the Irish airport authority, which was contracted by the Dubai government to launch the duty free operation in 1983. His initial contract with the government was for six months, but he went on to run the business for more than four decades.

He retired in May of this year, having been instrumental in its rise to becoming the single-largest duty-free operation in the world. Under his leadership, DDF’s turnover grew from $20 million in 1984 to $2.16 billion last year. He received an Irish Presidential Distinguished Service Award in 2014.

McLoughlin was also key in Dubai Duty Free’s sponsorship of the Irish Derby, which began in 2008 and continues to this day. Brian Kavanagh said: “Colm was a larger-than-life figure and a pleasure to deal with and to meet at any time.

“The Curragh Racecourse extends our deepest sympathies to Breeda, Niall, Tyna, Mandy and the extended McLoughlin family. “As CEO of Dubai Duty Free for over 40 years, Colm was a true trailblazer, recognised for his remarkable talent and his numerous achievements.”