Late Cllr Willie Crowley's Funeral: Prayers offered for family of man charged with alleged hit and run leading to death

Hundreds of people gathered today to mourn the death of a popular General Election candidate Cllr Willie Crowley who was fatally wounded in an alleged hit and run in the town last week. The 65-year-old politician was later laid to rest at St Conleth's Cemetery this afternoon. In an unusual gesture, prayers were offered at the funeral mass at St Conleth's Parish Church this morning for the family and friends of Damian Klansincki who is facing charges in relation to the collision that led to Cllr Crowley's death at Naas Hospital last Friday. The devastated congregation which heard how the politician's wife Claire was the love of his life and how they planned to retire in the South of France. A selfie photograph of the couple on holidays  (above) appeared on the back of the Mass Booklet. Above the photograph was the quotation: "To make a difference in someone's life you don't have to be wise, rich or beautiful.  "You just have to be there when they need you." The congregation  heard about Cllr Crowley's passion for politics, Newbridge, GAA, cooking and bringing people together. Gifts offered included a cookery book published by Cllr Crowley in 2004 along with a binoculars, as he was an avid horse racing fan. Newbridge Parish Priest, Fr Paul Dempsey outlined how Cllr Crowley was a man of the people who led a very successful life. Born in Limerick, Cllr Crowley's parents died at a young age. He moved to Clonmel where he developed his love of GAA and the printing industry by working at a local newspaper. Moving to Dublin, he ran an extremely successful printing business. After meeting his wife Claire, he moved to Newbridge and became actively involved in the local community. A spokesperson for the family, Morgan McCabe, spoke in a moving eulogy about Cllr Crowley's love for politics and his ability to stand up for what was right. Last July Cllr Crowley had declared his allegiance with Shane Ross’ Independent Alliance and had been set to stand for the grouping in the next election. Senator Ross attended today's funeral as well as Kildare TD. Martin Heydon and Catherine Byrne. Several elected members of Kildare County Council earlier flanked the hearse as it made its way down Newbridge's Main Street. Those present included Mayor of Kildare Cllr Brendan Weld, Cllr Mark Lynch, Cllr Fiona O'Loughlin, Cllr James Lawless and Cllr Fiona McLoughlin Healy. Cllr Crowley is survived by his  daughter Kathryn, Elizabeth,  grandson Shane, brother, sisters, mother-in-law, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends and fellow councillors.