President leads tributes to Brother Kevin Crowley, who has died aged 90

Tributes have been paid to Brother Kevin Crowley as “a champion of the poor” after he died aged 90.

The Capuchin Franciscans said that Mr Crowley died on Wednesday morning at Mount Desert Nursing Home in his home county of Cork.

Brother Crowley founded the Capuchin Day Centre homeless service in Dublin in 1969, which was visited by Pope Francis in 2018.

President of Ireland Michael D Higgins said Brother Kevin was a “warm, caring, yet fearless man”, while the Taoiseach said he was saddened to hear of the death of his “good friend”.

Tributes were also paid in the Dail to Brother Kevin as the news of his death broke on Wednesday afternoon.

Mr Higgins said Brother Kevin “made an invaluable contribution” to the people of Dublin city.

“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.

“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 Micheal Martin said 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.

“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.

“My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this time.”

Tanaiste 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.

“Such was the renown of the centre he created, it was visited by the Pope in 2018.

“Brother Kevin will never be forgotten for the immense charitable contribution he made to people experiencing poverty and suffering.”

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald told the Dail that Brother Kevin was “a champion of the poor” and his work at the Capuchin Day Centre “is the stuff of legend”.

She said: “He lived for others, and he absolutely changed lives. So we will all feel his loss very greatly. Ireland has lost a great son. Indeed, Cork has also lost a true legend.”

Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers responded: “I think Ireland has lost a wonderful person, someone who brought incredible care, humility and service to support the most vulnerable in our country, and we thank him for his tireless work, and may he rest in peace and condolences to all of his family.”

Brother Kevin’s funeral mass will be held at St Mary of the Angel’s on Church Street at 11am on Saturday.