John Giles and Kevin Crowley to receive freedom of Dublin

Dublin City Council has tonight voted to confer the freedom of the city on Brother Kevin Crowley of the Capuchin Day Centre and John Giles, the former footballer.

Lord Mayor Christy Burke said Brother Kevin provided more than 1,000 meals a day to the city’s homeless, while John Giles had been “Ireland’s greatest footballer”. He had also established the John Giles foundation which encouraged community development through sport.

The nominations were briefly interrupted by Labour councillor Rebecca Moynihan, who complained there were no women put forward in recent years.

Just five women had ever been granted the freedom of the city, she said and expressed her “disappointment” that the city administrators seemed unable or unwilling to recognise the contribution of women.

Councillor Mannix Flynn said it was up to any councillor to bring forward nominations.

The lord mayor said he regretted the names, which were agreed previously in private, had been leaked to tabloid newspapers in advance of the meeting.

The freedom of the city will be awarded to both men early next year.

The award acknowledges the contribution of recipients to the life of the city and also honours important visitors to Dublin.

The list of freemen and freewomen includes former US presidents John F. Kennedy and Bill Clinton, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, the four members of U2, Kevin Heffernan and Aung San Suu Kyi.

Fr Peter McVerry and Brian O’Driscoll were the last people to be awarded the Freedom of the City of Dublin earlier this year.