A FIVE-time poll topper in the European elections, the late Brian Crowley was a respected and well-liked public representative who entered political life when the then Taoiseach Albert Reynolds nominated him to the Seanad in 1993.

Politics ran deep in the Crowley family in Bandon as his late father, Flor, was a respected TD for over 13 years; so for Brian it felt like a natural process to follow in his father’s footsteps.

Despite a fall out with Fianna Fáil in 2014 after he joined the European Conservatives and Reformists group against the party wishes, his connection with the party was very evident by the number of Fianna Fáil members who attended his funeral and formed a guard of honour.

The former Ireland South MEP retired from politics in 2019 due to health reasons, but said at the time it was a privilege and a joy to serve such wonderful people through his political career.

Being paralysed following an accident at the age of 16 didn’t stop Brian from living a fulfilling life, and as a keen music fan he was the lead singer with the band Galaxy in his early years and was a regular singer at Shanley’s Bar in Clonakilty.

Minister for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity Christopher O’Sullivan said Brian was the ‘closest to the complete politician’ that he ever met.

‘I remember canvassing with him in Clonakilty during the toughest of times. He would always take time to debate an issue with constituents and always shake hands with that person and part ways on good terms,’ said Deputy O’Sullivan

‘He had a unique set of skills. We know he was superb musician too and I grew up listening to him in Shanley’s Bar in Clonakilty. Above all else he was a gentleman who was loved by many.’

Fellow Bandonian, Senator Margaret Murphy O’Mahony said Brian was ‘generous, talented and phenomenal vote getter’ while Cllr Gillian Coughlan said he was ‘one in a million’ who was ‘intelligent, handsome, charismatic, thoughtful, faithful, talented, fun-loving and hard-working.’

‘He was an inspiration to me and his first engagement after being appointed a Senator was to visit our class in secondary school. I will miss his encouragement and mentorship, his generous insight, wisdom and support.’

Fine Gael Senator Noel O’Donovan said Brian was a ‘decent and committed public servant’ who served his community with distinction.

‘Although I only met Brian on a small number of occasions, he was always a gentleman and someone who was rightly proud of Bandon and West Cork.’

Independent Ireland party leader Michael Collins described Brian as a ‘dedicated public servant whose commitment to represent the people of Cork and Ireland was evident throughout his long career in the European Parliament.’

Shanley’s Bar in Clonakilty thanked Brian for his ‘friendship and music over so many years’ while Eurovision winner Niamh Kavanagh described him as ‘joyous in music and generous in spirit’ and said they shared many beautiful sessions in Shanley’s.

TRIBUTES FROM COUNCILLORS OF ALL PARTIES

By Martin Steinmetz

COUNCILLORS across the political spectrum paid tribute to the late Brian Crowley at a meeting of Cork County Council on Monday.

Politicians from all parties expressed their condolences and rose for a minute’s silence in honour of the late Fianna Fáil MEP from Bandon who died last week aged 61. Tributes were paid at Monday’s local authority meeting at Cork County Hall to a tremendous vote-getter and a man who did not let his disability hold him back.

Many in his own party paid their respects to Mr Crowley, one of Fianna Fáil’s most successful and high-profile representatives at EU level.

Cllr Joe Carroll

Skibbereen Cllr Joe Carroll (FF) said he had been associated with the Crowley family since 1965, praising Brian Crowley as ‘an outstanding vote-getter’ and ‘an outstanding politician who was elected to Europe in 1994’.

‘Brian was elected five times and that’s an unusual achievement. He was our friend and was an absolute gentleman to deal with. We are proud to be associated with him,’ Cllr Carroll added.

Cllr Gillian Coughlan

Cllr Gillian Coughlan (FF), representing Bandon and Kinsale, said that people wanted to be in his orbit and that he was ‘intelligent and insightful’. ‘Europe seemed far away before he got elected to Brussels. He brought it to the people and made the link very real and very human,’ Cllr Coughlan said, adding that he had done more for people with disabilities than any campaign could ever have done. ‘My sincere condolences to his family and all Bandonians,’ she said.

Cllr Frank O’Flynn

Cllr Frank O’Flynn (FF), chairperson of the Fermoy Municipal District, said his party had  lost a great person and he personally had lost a great friend who ‘was a presence in any meeting. He represented Ireland abroad with dignity. He was a great Bandonian and West Cork person, he was a tremendous supporter of everything that was good in rural life in Munster. He was a great Irish person. Brian, thank you for the memories,’ Cllr O’Flynn said.

Cllr John Collins

Cllr John Collins (Ind Ire) said he was a neighbour of Brian Crowley’s in the early 2000s. ‘His mother is still with us. I will never forget the kindness she showed to me. You couldn’t meet a nicer family than the Crowley family and I want to pass on my condolences to them.’

Cllr Danny Collins

Cllr Danny Collins (Ind Ire) said Brian Crowley was a great man who would be sadly missed.

Cllr Sheila O’Callaghan

Cllr Sheila O’Callaghan (FF), representing Cobh, said: ‘He was truly a wonderful man and it was extremely inspirational to see the time and effort he gave to people.’

Mayor Cllr Mary Linehan Foley

The Mayor of County Cork, Cllr Mary Linehan Foley, recalled that canvassing was very easy with him. ‘People were just drawn to him, he was like a magnet. You can get stressed when canvassing but that was never the case with Brian Crowley. He always spoke very fondly of Youghal, my home town. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him,’ she said.