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A North Wales policeman who went undercover among Welsh nationalists during the holiday home firebombing campaigns of the 1970s and 1980s has died.

Wyn Dunn, 73, was renowned for his detective work, and was described as “a great character and a friend in times of need”.

Born in Bangor and a fluent Welsh-speaker, Mr Dunn was one of the officers tasked with getting on the inside of the campaigns aimed at forcing holiday-home owners out of rural Welsh villages.

But the former Flint CID copper’s career came to an end in 1983 when he was caught drink-driving, and voluntarily quit the force.

Since then he lived in Turkey. His friend of 50 years Barry Harrison said: “I heard he was worshipped in Turkey. In his regular bar, his local, they put flowers up and a picture of him in there and were having pictures taken with his picture.

(Image: Alwyn Dunn)

“He had advice whoever you were, whatever you were. He helped everybody and always seemed to be in the right place at the right time.

“What you would call an old-fashioned copper that you don’t see these days, he seemed to know someone was up to something and he would have a word.

“Wyn was good at preventing crime and he would give people a chance - it was old style policing.

“He was a people person, respected by the community, and a great friend and support, not just to me but to many people.

“He was a character and we played some practical jokes in our time - he’ll be sadly missed.”

(Image: Arwyn Roberts)

Mr Dunn grew up in Pwllheli and joined the Merchant Navy before moving to Flint where his children still run the family security firm Galw Services Limited.

He was also an accomplished footballer, playing centre-half for Pwllheli, Porthmadog, Nantlle Vale and Nefyn.

He is survived by his three children Alison, Alwyn and Nicola, granddaughter Lowri and great-grandchildren Oscar and Mali.

He died on March 6 in Turgutreis, and was laid to rest at Akcaalan Cemetery on 9th March 2018.

A memorial service will be held at the Parish Church of St Mary and St David, Flint, on Monday April, 9, at 11am