The late ex-directing head of Trócaire, Justin Kilcullen, was eulogised as a ‘peace champion’ at his funeral service on a Saturday morning in Shankill, Dublin. It was told that his work made a significant difference worldwide.
Mr Kilcullen, who withdrew from his role in 2013, passed away quietly on Tuesday at his residence, in the company of his spouse Róisín. Mourning him are his wife, his children Ruth, Eoin and Michael, his siblings Jean and Paul, his grandchildren Alice and Cian, and his daughter-in-law Laura.
At St Anne’s Church in Shankill, Fr Michael O’Sullivan, PP, conveyed to the mourners that they assembled with burdened hearts to bid their final goodbye to this remarkable man. He emphasised that Mr Kilcullen made the world a far better place due to his devotion and consideration for global justice, human rights and the planet.
President Michael D Higgins attended the 11am memorial service, while Taoiseach Simon Harris sent his aide-de-camp Cmdt Claire Mortimer as a representative.
Bishop Emeritus John Kirby, Bishop Donal Roche, Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin, Bishop William Crean from Trócaire, family friend Fr Sean Healy from the SMA, Fr Michael O’Dwyer, and other parish priests having close associations to Mr Kilcullen joined Fr O’Sullivan on the altar.
Justin’s son, Eoin Kilcullen, reminisced that his late father was an ‘enormous figure’ with a ‘kind, amusing and distinctive character’. He displayed gratitude towards all the people attending the memorial service, mentioning specifically that the attendance of President Higgins would have greatly honoured his father.
He also conveyed his gratitude for the outpouring of affection following his father’s passing and for the funeral director’s assistance.
He recalled his father’s early life, captivating the congregation with vibrant tales from their time residing in Laos.
“When I was around eight or nine, my father thought it would be an enriching experience to take me to a project in northern Laos. The endeavour aimed to aid farmers in removing unexploded bombs from the Vietnam War on their fields.
“Dad conceived it would be an excellent proposal to click a picture of me, standing next to these bombs while pointing at them. However, a couple of weeks later, when the pictures were developed, mum had an absolute reversal of thought about this fantastic idea, and dad barely saved his skin.”
Amongst the mourners, there was Father Michael O’Dwyer, a priest based in Shankill who described the late Mr Kilcullen as a true “parish” gentleman. He was also the chairperson and a founding member of Shankill Action for a Green Earth (Sage).
Father O’Dwyer underscored that the departed charity leader was a man of “profound faith”, who made an immense impact on the planet.
After the funeral mass, the cremation took place at Mount Jerome Crematorium in Harold’s Cross. Those in attendance were requested to make a donation to Trócaire, should they wish to do so.