Fr Sean Cassidy:SUCH WAS the popularity of Fr Seán Cassidy, who has died aged 71, that his transfer from Dún Laoghaire parish nine years ago provoked prolonged and widespread protests by the local community. He was much loved by those within and without his parish there, where he had worked for the previous 16 years. However, the transfer went ahead.
From Kilmainhamwood, Co Meath, he was ordained in 1962 by Archbishop John Charles McQuaid and was appointed chaplain to the Christian Brothers in Dún Laoghaire.
Subsequently he was curate at Clogher Road, Clonskeagh, Blessington, Clondalkin, Malahide, Ayrfield, and Dún Laoghaire. A great GAA fan, he was a staunch supporter of the Meath football team.
He also held strong views on GAA affairs but did not always abide by its rules, playing rugby as well as Gaelic football. During his time in Blessington, he played for Co Wicklow under an assumed name, as in those days priests were not allowed to take part in sports.
He was a man who believed in making things happen and while at Clogher Road in the 1960s he founded the award-winning Sundrive Players drama group. He maintained his connection with them throughout his life.
He revived the Dún Laoghaire Horse Show, his primary motive to bring the people together in community activities. In 1998 he was very much involved with Dún Laoghaire 1,500, obtaining a grant of £100,000 to run events.
Fr Cassidy was a man of great compassion who had a deep concern for other human beings, especially for those at the bottom of the pile. At his curate's house on Eblana Avenue, Dún Laoghaire, the homeless knew they were welcome and were sure of a roof over their heads.
Always on the side of the marginalised, he founded the Dún Laoghaire Care group with the purpose of serving the homeless and the poor. This group consisted of volunteers from the local St Michael's parish and from the community.
Founding the Care group was Fr Cassidy's response to the deaths of two homeless people, one of whom was found under a bush on a particularly cold winter's night. In his efforts to help the homeless, he established, with the support of Monkstown parish, a kitchen in the crypt of the Church of Ireland church in Monkstown. There, for three years, volunteers from both parishes provided hot midday meals for the homeless and needy.
In those days money was scarce and there was little support for such work from State agencies.
Typically, when Fr Cassidy was presented with a farewell gift from the parishioners of St Michael's, he handed it over to his Care group to help finance meals for the homeless. Eventually his work was taken over by the health board, Crosscare and Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.
Fr Cassidy equated concern for justice and compassion for others with the Christian gospel. He had the courage and the faith to act as he believed.
He is survived by his brother Fr Séamus, sisters Eileen (Price), Bríd (Giles), brothers-in-law Peter and Éanna, dear friend Kathy, his nieces, nephews, relatives and friends, classmates and priests of the Dublin archdiocese.
Fr Seán Cassidy: born August 21st, 1937; died August 27th, 2008