Book of condolence for founder of Capuchin Day Centre, Brother Kevin Crowley, to be opened

Sarah Slater

A book of condolence for the late Brother Kevin Crowley the founder of the Capuchin Day Centre is to be opened at the Mansion House at 11am.

The 90-year-old Cork native who died on Wednesday morning in a nursing home is to be laid to rest on Saturday.

Brother Kevin’s remains will arrive at St Mary of the Angel’s, Church Street, Dublin at 5pm on Thursday, reposing there all day Friday with solemn evening prayer at 6pm.

Requiem Mass will be held at 11am on Saturday with burial afterwards in Dardistown cemetery.

President Michael D Higgins led tributes to Brother Kevin, saying he “made an invaluable contribution” to the people of Dublin city, calling him a “warm, caring, yet fearless man”.

The President added: “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.”

Brother Kevin founded the Capuchin Day Centre in 1969, located on Bow Street in Dublin and he became synonymous with helping the poor of Dublin city down through the decades.

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.

He was bestowed with the Freedom of Dublin City in 2015 by then Lord Mayor Independent councillor Christy Burke.

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.