Former Fianna Fáil MEP Brian Crowley dies aged 61

Sean Ryan

Former MEP for Ireland South, Brian Crowley, has died aged 61

Mr Crowley, who was a native of Bandon in County Cork, had been receiving treatment at Cork University Hospital and passed away in the early hours of this morning January 23rd.

He had been ill for some time.

Mr Crowley was elected to the European Parliament on five occasions between 1994 and 2014. He stepped down as an MEP in 2019.

He previously served as a Fianna Fáil MEP before the party removed him following a dispute over his decision to join the European Conservatives and Reformists Group led to him loosing the party whip.

He topped the poll in each of the European elections he contested in 1994, 1999, 2004, 2009 and 2014.

He fell out with Micheál Martin when he failed to secure the Fianna Fáil leader's support for the party's nomination to run for the presidency in 2011.

A wheelchair user, he was paralysed from the waist down following an accident when he fell off a building at the age of 16.

His life was plagued by ongoing surgeries arising from complications from that accident, and he spent several years being treated in hospital. He is survived by his mother, Sally, and by his brother and sisters.

Among those to pay tribute were Fianna Fail TD for Cork North Central Padraig O’Sullivan, who said ‘’Truly shocked this morning to hear of the passing of the legend that was Brian Crowley.

"He was always there for advice on the other end of the phone. He will be missed greatly within the Fianna Fáil family and beyond."

In a statement from the Taoiseach, Mr Martin said:“It was with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Brian Crowley.

“Brian was a hugely impressive individual. Coming from a family steeped in public service, Taoiseach Albert Reynolds recognised his talents and nominated him to Seanad Éireann in 1993.

“After just a year in that role, he sought election to the European Parliament for the Munster constituency and was not only elected, but topping the poll in a stunning victory.

“That relationship with his voters only became stronger over his years of dedicated and energetic service, and he went on to top the poll in each of the three subsequent elections he contested, attracting truly extraordinary levels of support.

"His vote was testament to the truly strong bond between him and the people he represented. Without question, he was one of the great vote-getters of the modern political era. He had no equal.

“He was also an impactful legislator in the European Parliament and was extremely popular with parliamentarians and officials throughout the European Union.

"Paralysed by an accident when he was 16, Brian demonstrated incredible personal resilience and strength of character. With great natural musical ability and a fantastic outgoing personality, he was the life and soul of many Fianna Fáil Ard Fheiseanna and thrilled many on the musical scene in Shanleys in Clonakilty for many years.

“Brian was also a person of deep personal faith, which was profoundly important to him as he struggled with the complications arising from his disability in his later years

“Brian was deeply committed to his community and his country. His loss will be felt deeply by his mother, Sally, his family, his large circle of friends and all his former colleagues.

“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam,”

No funeral arrangements have been confirmed as yet.