BRIAN Crowley’s ability to overcome challenges in his life and handle adversity was a rare quality, his funeral mass at St Patrick’s Church in Bandon heard on Monday.

The funeral mass was celebrated by Fr John Newman and concelebrated by Canon Bertie O’Mahony, Monsignor Kevin O’Callaghan, Bishop Emeritus John Buckley and Brian’s lifelong friend, Fr Kieran O’Driscoll.

Brian’s brother Niall spoke eloquently and passionately about his late brother, who passed away on Friday (January 23rd) at the age of 61. While the former Independent and Fianna Fáil poll-topping MEP was very well known in public, Niall said he was also a very private and considered man.

‘The life of Brian could be described under four F’s – family, friends, faith and fun. These words reflected the true values of what he stood for,’ said Niall.

‘He adored all of his nephews and nieces and the only time I ever heard Brian boasting was when he was speaking about them. All 11 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.’

Niall said his brother overcame many challenges in his life.

‘His ability to handle adversity was a rare quality 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.’

He said the way his mum Sally and late dad Flor handled Brian’s accident at the age of 16 had a major influence on now Brian would handle the trials and tribulations that life throws up.

‘When our mum and dad met the consultants in Dun Laoghaire soon after Brian’s accident they were told that he would not live beyond 25 years of age. Reaching nearly 62 years of age, he certainly overcame that one.’

He said his brother had ‘many close shaves’ but all challenges were faced with a ‘positive disposition and incredible personal faith.’

‘He loved meeting people and chatting to them and the diversity of his friendship groups epitomised Brian as an open and engaging person. He loved chatting to people. He was readily available to so many people who needs to chat or talk through difficult times they were going to in their lives.’

Niall added that the messages that they have received over the past week are only now beginning to give them as a family a true indication of how many lives he touched in so many ways.

He also thanked the staff at ward 2B at Cork University Hospital where Brian spent a lot of time in his later years who he said were like a second family to him.

‘If Brian hasn’t got a front seat in heaven, then the rest of us are in serious trouble,’ Niall concluded. Fr John Newman described Brian as a ‘pure gentleman’ who brought great joy to countless people and was ‘personable, well-informed and engaging. He was a man of faith and a man of conviction and wasn’t afraid to identify himself as a Catholic. He was a stalwart advocate of the good. He was pure in heart,’ said Fr Newman.

Fr Newman said the wheelchair accident at the young age of 16 didn’t dampen his spirits and that his disability didn’t prevent him from doing anything he wanted to do in life.

He recalled two further ‘body blows’ to Brian when his father and former TD Flor died at the age of 62 and his brother Flor Jr died in a road traffic accident in 2009.

‘Brian was inspiring in the way he dealt with these trials. He faced them not just with unparalleled bravery but with faith, geniality and humour.’

Taoiseach Micheál Martin and his wife Mary were among the packed congregation of mourners, while President Catherine Connolly was represented by her aide de camp, Comdt. Deirdre Newell.

The congregation heard that Brian regularly visited Knock Shrine and spoke there often. Fr Newman said that the time spent in European Parliament as an MEP were ‘Brian’s golden era.

‘During those years he proved himself to be brave and courageous and was a man who helped lots of people. He shared his immense talents with others. He offered wise counsel to politicians who were starting out in their careers and he also hosted students from her visiting the European Parliament in Brussels.

A lover of music and as one who played in many bands in his youth it was only fitting that the choir and the congregation sang one of his favourite songs, Elvis Presley’s ‘The Wonder of You’ following holy communion, which was greeted by a huge round of applause.

A guard of honour was formed by former party colleagues and dignitaries outside St Patrick’s Church and they included Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan, Government Chief Whip Mary Butler, Ceann Comahairle Verona Murphy and current MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú among others.

Brian was laid to rest in the adjoining ceremony alongside his dad Flor and dear brother Flor Jr.