President and Taoiseach lead tributes to Brother Kevin Crowley
Sarah Slater
Brother Kevin Crowley, who retired from the Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin in August 2022, has died at the age of 90.
The founder of the Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin and Enniskeane, Co Cork native, Brother Kevin, returned to his native county following his retirement from the centre, which he founded 56 years ago.
Brother Kevin died peacefully shortly after 10am on Wednesday morning at the Holy Trinity on Fr Matthew Quay in Cork city.
He founded the Capuchin Day Centre, located on Bow Street in Dublin, in 1969 and has become synonymous with helping the poor of Dublin city down through the decades.
His last day at the centre was August 19th, 2022, and he then moved back to his native Cork.
In 2018, Pope Francis paid a visit to the centre, which provides food and shelter to an average of 800 people every day. He met Brother Kevin as well as people who use their essential services there.
President Michael D Higgins led tributes to Brother Kevin, saying he “made an invaluable contribution” to the people of Dublin city, callingd him a “warm, caring, yet fearless man”.
“The hot meals, food parcels, clothing, showers, family services, and medical and dental services have not just extended care of the most vulnerable, but has been exemplary in showing a fundamental respect for the dignity of each person and allowed so many of those who have availed of the services to rebuild their lives,” he said.
“It was extremely appropriate that Pope Francis visited Brother Kevin and the Capuchin Day Centre during his visit to Ireland in 2018 and met with those present and volunteers.
“I was deeply honoured to meet with Brother Kevin on many occasions throughout the years and to share in his company," the President continued.
“Brother Kevin was a warm, caring, yet fearless man, who dedicated his life to living his Christian faith in dedication to those most in need.”
Taoiseach Micheál Martin also paid tribute to his "good friend" Brother Kevin, saying he was "deeply saddened" to learn of his passing.
“Brother Kevin was a tireless and passionate advocate for justice, dedicating his life to helping those in need. In 1969, he founded the Capuchin Day Centre, where he worked selflessly and with good humour for 53 years, providing help to vulnerable people. He truly lived the gospel," Mr Martin said.
“His compassion, devotion and non-judgmental approach to helping the marginalised was unwavering. He was an inspiring and humble man who I always enjoyed meeting. He was a proud Cork man who never lost touch with the home place that nurtured him in his early years."
Tánaiste Simon Harris said Brother Kevin was “one of life’s true heroes”.
“A proud Cork man, he made an enormous contribution to assisting vulnerable Dublin people with the foundation of the Capuchin Day Centre,” he said.
“While the centre is well known for its distribution of food parcels to people in need, I visited with Brother Kevin as health minister and know its work went beyond that, providing a range of medical services and family supports.
“Brother Kevin will never be forgotten for the immense charitable contribution he made to people experiencing poverty and suffering.”
Close friend, former Lord Mayor of Dublin and North Inner City Independent councillor, Christy Burke, also paid tribute to Brother Kevin.
“It was a pleasure to bestow the Freedom of the City on Brother Kevin in 2015. He helped thousands of people who were homeless over the years. My sincere condolences to his family and friends. His legacy will live on forever,” Cllr Burke said.
He continued: “For decades, Brother Kevin was a beacon of compassion and dignity for those experiencing homelessness in Dublin. He gave his life to serving others, always with kindness, humility and quiet strength. To so many, he was nothing less than a living saint.
When I last visited him in Cork, he spoke with deep affection about the people he had served and the incredible generosity he witnessed over the past 50 years. He never sought recognition, but he inspired countless others through his example.
“Today, I mourn not only a remarkable man, but a close and cherished friend. His presence will be missed dearly, but his spirit will live on in the hearts of those he helped and those who loved him. Suaimhneas síoraí dá anam, a Bhráthair Caoimhín, beidh grá agat i gcónaí ag muintir Bhaile Átha Cliath. Beidh do mhuintir inár gcuid paidreacha inniu."
In 2018, the Cork man was presented with the fourth Oireachtas Human Dignity Award by the then Ceann Comhairle of Leinster House, Seán Ó Feargháil TD, for his tireless work with the homeless and those in need.
Additional reporting: PA
