Tributes paid to crusading Trócaire founder

TRIBUTES HAVE been paid to Trócaire founder Brian McKeown for his “inspirational work” in promoting social justice at home and abroad. He died last week aged 70.

Mr McKeown’s removal will take place to St Anne’s Church, Shankill, this evening at 5.30pm. The funeral Mass will be at 10am on Tuesday, followed by burial in Shanganagh cemetery.

Labour Party president and spokesman on foreign affairs Michael D Higgins said Mr McKeown was source of inspiration to everybody interested in eliminating global poverty and in achieving justice and development.

“For over two decades Brian headed Trócaire, but he was also a co-ordinator of development and justice efforts among other organisations in Ireland, Europe and beyond,” Mr Higgins said.

“In the early stages of Ireland’s overseas development work he was not only a source of inspiration but also an advocate for the highest professional standards.”

Mr Higgins said those who sought to make human rights an integral part of Irish foreign policy will always remember the Trócaire founder’s efforts in this area.

Mr McKeown died in Dublin last week following a long illness. He is survived by his wife, four children and grandchildren.

He founded Trócaire in the early 1970s and served as its director for two decades.

In a statement yesterday, Trócaire director Justin Kilcullen said Mr McKeown’s leadership helped established the agency as a radical voice on poverty and social injustice.

“Brian shaped the new organisation as one based on the principles of justice and social action. His thinking on the causes and response to global poverty and injustice was radical and profound at the time and still remains inspirational and relevant today,” Mr Kilcullen said.