Brother Kevin: An unsung hero in the Dublin story

By Breda Nathan

News of the death of Pope Francis reminds me of his visit to Dublin some years ago.

I remember he called to the Capuchin Day centre and spent some time there, rather than some upmarket fancy residence or hotel.

Although my knowledge of the late pontiff was limited, I was impressed by his choices and many of his more modern and kind words in the years since then.

My admiration and respect for Brother Kevin is indescribable.

You can hear it in his voice when you speak to him on the phone. It’s a kindness and it’s so nice.

Early mornings, weekends and bank holidays. He is there, the cups and plates rattling in the background.

If anyone deserves a break it is Brother Kevin. News of his retirement is the end of an era.

For more than 50 years he has cooked breakfast for thousands, and everyone is treated with respect and dignity.

No questions asked or comments made. From children to pensioners, all who have fallen on hard times for whatever reason, he was always there to help.

I spoke to one of the volunteers one morning, who told me he had been working since 4am preparing for the day’s callers.

I rang another morning at 8.30 and he was frying sausages for breakfasts for hundreds.

No handy pack of stale sandwiches, real hearty food or food vouchers for parents with children.

You hear stories and scandals about some religious orders over the years and bad things happened we know, but this man walks the walk and looks for no returns.

He arrives first in the mornings and is the last to leave at night. A legend in the true meaning of the word.

Brother Kevin was born in Cork in the 30s and entered the Capuchin Order in the 50s.

He founded the Capuchin Day Centre in 1969, after witnessing men eating out of dustbins in the area.

Since then, how many thousands has he helped? Last Christmas, on the 21st of December actually, he handed out 3,000 food vouchers to help people over the holiday period.

He has many good volunteers working with him and they all remark on his sense of humour and wit. I spoke to the manager today and he too was sad to see him go.

We all know he deserves to retire and relax in Cork, hopefully in good health and happiness.

On the few occasions I spoke to him, he left me with a visceral feeling of kindness.

It’s difficult to explain, but few people dedicate their entire life helping others.

I know of one other man who does this, Father Peter McVerry. He too lives and works for the homeless. Sharing their world and knowing and not judging anyone.

Two men, not Dublin natives, Brother Kevin from Cork and Father Peter from Northern Ireland, have saved the lives of so many Dubliners and looked for no returns.

We can all donate a few quid or do a few chores when we think of it, but few of us think enough and are wrapped up in our own thoughts and comforts most of the time.

There is so much more to say about Brother Kevin; but sadly I don’t have the words.

Let us wish him a happy and healthy retirement in his native Cork. We will never forget him.