Brother Kevin Crowley, John Giles given Freedom of Dublin

Footballer John Giles and Capuchin Brother Kevin Crowley who has been providing food for Dublin’s poor for half a century received the Honorary Freedom of the City of Dublin, on Saturday.

Bestowing the honour on the two men, Lord Mayor of Dublin Christy Burke quipped: “One plays while the other prays.”

Mr Burke said the freedom of the city was the highest civic honour Dublin could bestow.

“It is a privilege for me to confer the freedom on these two most deserving recipients, Brother Kevin Crowley and John Giles,” he said.

Brother Kevin has been providing people who are most in need with food and shelter for almost 50 years through his work at the Capuchin Centre in the heart of Dublin.

Giles has been commended for his distinguished career in football included 59 caps for Ireland.

In 2003, he was winner of UEFA’s Jubilee Award which named him best Irish player of the past 50 years.

Brother Kevin said the homelessness crisis remains critical in Dublin and the city’s drug problem was getting out of control.

“It’s amazing the number of young people involved in drugs,” he said.

“We had 300 people for breakfast and 560 people for dinners this afternoon. Over half of the people who were in for breakfast, are involved in drug taking.”

“The drug scene in our city is absolutely appalling. I plead to the government to do something, because if not we will have a crisis in our city.

Giles encouraged young people to “drop the smart phones and iPads” and play more sport.

“We have progressed in plenty of ways but regressed in others,” he said.

The Freedom has previously been conferred on 78 people ranging from presidents to prisoners of conscience, to people in sports and entertainment.

The first recipient of the Freedom of the City was Isaac Butt in 1876.

Former Ireland rugby player Brian O’ Driscoll and Fr Peter McVerry received the honour in 2014.

Brother Kevin Crowley and Giles were presented with a gift from the city specially commissioned for the occasion called “Castles”.

The pieces, by artist Michele Hannan, are made of ceramic and glass on a stone base.