Born in Ballyshannon, McLoone began working as a psychiatric nurse in 1969.
He joined the Local Government and Public Services Union, and in 1978 was elected as its assistant general secretary.
[2] McLoone was a leading proponent of the Irish "Social Partnership" strategy, and generally worked closely with governments during his tenure.
In 2009, the Social Partnership agreements collapsed, and he retired from his trade union posts the following year.
[2] He joined the Labour Relations Commission, the Irish Times trust, and became a governor of the National College of Ireland.