Life of MEP Brian Crowley marked by his resilience, funeral hears
Olivia Kelleher
Former Fianna Fáil MEP and Senator Brian Crowley was a man of such resilience that he lived until the age of 61, even though his parents were told that he would die within 10 years of a life-changing accident he suffered as a teenager, his funeral mass has heard.
Mr Crowley of Dunmanway Road, Bandon, Co Cork, died on January 23rd last at Cork University Hospital (CUH) following a lengthy illness.
A wheelchair user, Brian was paralysed from the waist down when he fell off a building as a teenager. He endured further blows in life when his father Flor, who was a Fianna Fáil TD in west Cork, died at the age of just 62 in 1997. Mr Crowley also lost his brother Flor Jnr (42) in 2009 after he died in in a car crash.
His brother Niall told mourners at noon mass in St Patrick’s Church in Bandon that the life of his brother Brian “could be summed up in the four “F’s” — “family, friends, faith, and fun.”
He emphasised that Brian was always of the view that he was the lucky one because people could see his disability.
“He always reflected on those people who had serious challenges in life but their challenges were not visible so they did not get the help that he was afforded.
"Brian was always a giver and this was a central aspect of his life. If Brian has not got a front seat in Heaven then the rest of us are in serious trouble.“
Mr Crowley said that it was “hugely important” to share with mourners that following his life changing accident Brian was not expected to have a long life.
“When our Mam and Dad met the consultants in Dun 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.”
"We are joined on the altar here by Fr Kieran O'Driscoll who was the first man to come across Brian when he fell off the roof in Bandon. So it is very, very special for us to have him here today.
He (Brian) had many close shaves regarding other events in his life but all challenges were faced with a positive disposition and an incredible personal faith.
Brian overcame many challenges in life and his ability to handle adversity was a rare quality that he possessed. This quality he certainly inherited from his mother, Sally who in her own life showed an ability to face very challenging situations in a positive way.
The way his Mum and Dad handled his accident when he was sixteen no doubt had a major influence on how Brian would handle the trials and tribulations that life throws up.”
Mr Crowley said that Brian took great pleasure in meeting and talking to “ordinary people.”
“He loved just chatting to people and discussing what was going on in their lives. The messages over the past few days are only now beginning to give us as a family a sense of just how many lives he touched over his life."
"Brian did things quietly and under the radar. He always taught us to be cognisant of when people need help - and that you should always need to be there to help them."
He said that Brian had a great sense of humour and adored music and meeting with friends.
"Brian will be forever connected with music sessions in where he played the piano and sang the night away. Brian loved the craic and got such energy and pleasure from seeing others enjoying a night out as well."
As well as loving poker sessions with friends, he adored conversation and catching up with news of friends, family and his beloved west Cork, in particular Gougane Barra where he loved to spend personal time.
"He was a softie with his money...it was the craic and the camaraderie he really looked forward to."
"Brian has an absolutely huge circle of friends - the diversity of friendship groups epitomised Brian as such an open and engaging person. His friends from school, Bandon, politics and music reflected his huge range of connections."
"Brian loved the craic. We were so lucky as a family to have Brian centre stage at home playing the piano and leading the sing song. Cherished moments which will never be forgotten."
Mr Crowley paid tribute to staff at CUH for their incredible care of his brother. He added that Brian was not a man for boasting. However, he broke that rule when it came to his nieces and nephews.
“I doubt if an uncle exists who had a greater relationship with all his nieces and nephews. All eleven 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.”
Meanwhile, Fr John Newman extended his deepest sympathy to Brian’s mother Sally, his sisters Maeve, Deirdre and Fiona and his brother Niall following their loss.
Fr Newman welcomed to the mass amongst other Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Cmdt Deirdre Newell Aide De Camp of President Catherine Connolly,
He noted that Brian was “very charming” from that start of his life and exuded a “natural cheerfulness, and enthusiasm.
“His bubbly personality and winning smile instantly endeared him to people. He loved a bit of fun and he made wonderful friends.
In his life he would prove himself to be a friend to many. He was a pure gentleman. He inspired and motivated many by his positivity and resilience. He brought great joy to countless people.”
He said that Brian was raised in Bandon in a family of “deep faith”and didn’t let the “heavy cross” of his accident dampen his spirit.
“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. And he became an inspiration to all of us.”
He stated that Brian endured “two further body blows” with the loss of his father and brother.
“He faced them not just with unparalleled bravery but with faith, geniality and humour.
Fr Newman stressed that during his time as an MEP Brian shared his immense talent with others and did everything in his power to assist his constituents.
Describing Brian as an “exemplary figure in public life” he added that he had continued to work from his hospital bed when his health deteriorated.
“He never complained. He carried his suffering internally.”
Attendees at the mass included amongst others Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan, Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy, Governent Chief Whip Mary Butler, Cathaoirleach Senator Mark Daly, former Fianna Fáil Ministers Eamon O Cuiv and Michael Moynihan, Minister of State Christopher O’Sullivan, former FF TD John Dennehy, Cllr Tony Fitzgerald deputising for Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Fergal Dennehy and Cllr Ian Doyle deputising for Mayor of the County Mary Linehan Foley. A large number of councillors were also in attendance.
Fr Newman was joined on the altar by Monsignor Kevin O’Callaghan, Monsignor Aidan O’Driscoll, Canon Bertie O’Mahony and Fr Kieran O’Driscoll.
The Crowley family asked that mourners make donations to St Vincent de Paul in lieu of flowers. After the mass Mr Crowley was laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery.
The late Brian Crowley was elected to the European Parliament on five occasions and topped the poll in 1994, 1999, 2004, 2009 and 2014. He was also a Senator from 1993 until 1994. He retired from politics due to illness in 2019.
