Brian Crowley lived his life by one simple rule, funeral Mass hears

The late Brian Crowley lived his life by one simple rule: “When people need help, you should be there to help them”.

Mr Crowley, a Bandon native who topped the poll in each of the five European elections he contested, passed away last Friday at the age of 61.

A wheelchair user since an accident at the age of 16 left him paralysed from the waist down, he had been in poor health for several years.

In a moving eulogy at his funeral Mass, Niall Crowley told a packed St Patrick’s Church in Bandon that his brother had overcome many challenges in life, with his ability to handle adversity a quality he had inherited from his mother Sally.

“When our Mum and Dad met the consultants in Dún Laoghaire soon after Brian’s accident they were told that Brian would not live beyond 25 years of age. Reaching nearly 62 years of age he certainly overcame that one,” Niall said.

In a life defined by family, friends, faith, and fun, Brian had adored all of his nephews and nieces.

“The only time I ever heard Brian boasting was when he was speaking about them," said Niall. 

"All 11 gave him so much joy and happiness but that was minuscule in the context of what he gave to them.

“He was always there for them in both the good and bad times.” 

There was a thunderous round of applause when Niall Crowley likened the staff of Ward 2B in Cork University Hospital to “a second family to Brian” throughout his illness.

Brian had made friends easily, his brother said, because he loved meeting people.

“The messages over the last few days are only now beginning to give us as a family a true indication of how many lives he touched in so many ways.” 

One thing Brian always said was that “when people need help, you should always be there to help them”, Niall said, and this was informed by his incredible faith.

“If Brian has not got a front row seat in heaven, then the rest of us are in serious trouble," Niall added.

In his homily, parish priest Fr John Newman said that, from his earliest days, Brian’s bubbly personality and winning smile instantly endeared him to people.

“His deep trust in God, his courage, and his resilience made him determined that his disability would not prevent him from doing what he wanted to do with his life.” 

Brian Crowley’s love of music was marked with a joyous rendition of his favourite song, The Wonder of You.

The Mass was celebrated by Fr Newman, and concelebrated by Canon Bertie O’Mahony, Monsignor Kevin O’Callaghan, Bishop Emeritus John Buckley, and Fr Kieran O’Driscoll.

President Connolly was represented by her aide de camp, Commandant Deirdre Newell.

A veritable who’s who of Fianna Fáil, and the wider political world, attended Mr Crowley’s funeral, with Taoiseach Micheál Martin and his wife Mary joined by Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy, and Senator Mark Daly, Cathaoirleach of the Seanad.

Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú attended, with Billy Kelleher MEP attending the removal. EU Commissioner Michael McGrath sent his apologies.

The many past and present Fianna Fáil TDs in attendance included chief whip Mary Butler, justice minister Jim O’Callaghan, Michael Moynihan, Christopher O’Sullivan, Aindrias Moynihan, Éamon Ó Cuív, Gerry Collins, and Kevin O’Keeffe.

Councillor Ian Doyle deputised for the Mayor of the County of Cork, while former lord mayor of Cork, councillor Tony Fitzgerald, deputised for the current Lord Mayor.

Brian Crowley was laid to rest in St Patrick’s Cemetery, Bandon.