Dan CollinsTHE BIGGEST legacy of Prof Dan Collins, who died last month, is served on the plates of Irish consumers, where food is safer because of his efforts.
He was a major influence on public policy regarding food safety in Ireland and Europe. He also helped shape Ireland’s veterinary profession during more than 40 years of teaching at UCD.
Collins played a significant role in setting up the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, serving on its board until his death. It was the first independent body of its type in Europe. His expertise was also recognised outside Ireland. He was a member of the European Food Safety Authority’s biological hazards panel; a founder of the European College of Veterinary Public Health; and a member of the European Commission’s task force on animal disease (tuberculosis) eradication programmes.
Collins’ ability to assemble research teams enabled him to organise scientists of various nationalities to work together. Part of his authority came from being meticulous in preparing for meetings. He read every paper, no matter how many there were.
As an educator, he had the virtues of an old-style professor. He nurtured students, assisting those he feared were falling behind.
When he retired from teaching in 2004, he continued his research. He kept up other work too, attending a meeting of the European biohazards panel in Denmark less than month before his death.
Through all, Collins remained modest. He kept a stone from Tramore beach on his desk, as a reminder of where he came from.
He also retained a mischievous touch of the agricultural. A microbiologist who worked in a pristine laboratory sought a source of a particular enzyme. Collins told her: “I have a source of those enzymes.”
The scientist was grateful, until Collins arrived with large sack of cow dung and dumped it in the middle of her floor.
John Daniel Collins was born in Waterford city, the elder of two sons born to John Collins and his wife, Johanna (née Hennessy). His father was in the meat business.
Dan was educated at the Christian Brothers Mount Sion National School, followed by Waterpark College. At Waterpark he played rugby, and became a ferocious Munster rugby supporter for life.
From an early age Collins had accompanied his father on cattle-buying business, and it was this that started his interest in veterinary medicine. He entered UCD in 1956 to study veterinary medicine, graduating in July 1961. After a short period working in Newry, he returned to UCD as a lecturer. He spent the rest of his career there, except for two years studying at the University of California. From 1978 he was associate professor of veterinary preventative medicine.
He is survived by his wife Phil, sons John, David, Kevin and Daniel, uncle Andy, brother Eddie, grandchildren, daughters-in-law and sister-in-law.
John Daniel Collins: born November 16th, 1938; died April 25th, 2012
