Tributes have been paid to former Trócaire executive director Justin Kilcullen, who has died.
Mr Kilcullen joined the organisation in 1981 and worked for many years in Africa and Asia. He was appointed executive director of Trócaire in 1993, holding that position for 20 years until his retirement in 2013.
President Michael D Higgins said those who have been working over decades on humanitarian issues affecting the most vulnerable “will have heard with great sadness of the passing of Justin Kilcullen”.
“It was a privilege to know and to work with Justin on the projects of Trócaire, with its special emphasis on not only identifying human need, but of asking the structural questions as to how injustice repeats itself,” Mr Higgins said in a statement.
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Taoiseach Simon Harris said Irish people have always been very proud of the work of Trócaire, adding “and that is in no small part down to the leadership of Justin.
“He fought for the dignity of every human being and never stopped striving for a more just world,” Mr Harris said.
“He influenced Irish thinking and ultimately Irish government policy through countless hours of advocacy and engagement.”
Caoimhe de Barra, chief executive of Trócaire, said it was a sad day for the organisation and that Mr Kilcullen had “a passion for justice and a deep belief in the dignity and rights of every human being which drove and defined him.
“He was fearless in his activism for human rights and for a more just world. He was a wise and generous leader who inspired and supported generations of people involved in development, humanitarianism, human rights and environmental work,” Ms de Barra said.
Mr Kilcullen is survived by his wife Róisín and children Ruth, Eoin and Michael.
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