Two champions become Freemen of Dublin

FA Cup winner Johnny Giles is to join a champion of the poor on the illustrious list of those who have been granted the Freedom of the City of Dublin.

Giles, who was born in Ormonde Square, will be made a Freeman of the City alongside Brother Kevin Crowley who founded the Capuchin Day Centre in Bow Street in 1969 to help relieve the hardship endured by homeless people and to help those in need.

The Lord Mayor’s nomination was ratified at a Dublin City Council meeting after receiving a warm welcome by all councillors.

The Freedom of the City will be awarded to both men in early 2015.

The award of Freedom of the City of Dublin acknowledges the contribution of recipients to the life of Ireland’s capital city. It also bestows honour on important visitors to Dublin.

Brother Kevin and John, who started his English football career with Manchester United in 1956, will join an illustrious list of Freemen and Freewomen including 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, in 2014.

The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Christy Burke said:

“I am honoured and privileged to propose Brother Kevin Crowley and John Giles for Dublin City’s highest award, the Honorary Freedom of the City of Dublin.

“Both men are very worthy recipients and are known and admired throughout Ireland and the world for their achievements and work with those in need.

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Brother Kevin Crowley founded The Capuchin Day Centre with the Capuchin Franciscan ethos of an

‘Open Door’ policy where people are welcomed and treated with dignity, privacy and respect.

When it opened first the centre fed 50 people a day. That number has risen to 800 people a day while the centre also gives food parcels to those in need.

Currently up to 1,800 a day receive parcels to help feed their families. As well as providing hot meals, the centre also provides facilities such as shower areas, medical services and advice and information clinics.

John Giles followed his father Christy into football and was spotted in Dublin while playing for Stella Maris Football Club.

After winning the FA Cup in 1963 with Manchester United, he went on to win the English League, the FA Cup and League Cup with Leeds before moving on to West Bromwich Albion.

He made his international debut for Ireland in 1959 and went on to earn 59 caps playing for his country.

His management career included the Republic of Ireland and Shamrock Rovers.

He is known to a younger generation as an analyst on RTE’s soccer coverage.

He has also used his football experience to set up the John Giles Foundation to use the power of football to promote health, build community cohesion and encourage lifelong participation and learning.

Both men will enjoy ancient privileges afforded to a Freeman or Freewoman including the right to bring goods into Dublin through the city gates without paying customs duties, the right to pasture sheep on common ground within the city boundaries, and the right to vote in municipal and parliamentary elections.