Former Trócaire Executive Director Justin Kilcullen dies

The former Executive Director of Trócaire Justin Kilcullen has died.

Mr Kilcullen joined the charity in 1981 and worked in Africa and Asia for many years.

He was appointed Executive Director in 1993, and held that position for 20 years until his retirement in 2013.

Born in Dublin, Mr Kilcullen graduated from University College Dublin with a degree in architecture.

He began working overseas in Tanzania before moving to Asia, where he worked with the UNHCR specialising in the design and construction of refugee camps for Cambodian and Vietnamese refugees.

He joined Trócaire in 1981 as Africa Programme Officer, and later served as Trócaire representative in Laos.

Trócaire’s current Chief Executive Caoimhe De Barra, who worked closely with Mr Kilcullen, said he 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 also paid tribute to Mr Kilcullen’s kindness and compassion.

“It is a sad day for many of us within Trócaire who were privileged to work with Justin and our thoughts are with his wife Róisín and his children at this difficult time.”

A social justice advocate, Mr Kilcullen was awarded the Robert Matthew Medal by the International Union of Architects for his work on human settlements.

In 2019, he was awarded a papal knighthood of the Order of Saint Gregory the Great.

In a statement, Trócaire said he would be remembered as “a passionate, vocal and hugely committed advocate for justice who was enormously respected in and outside of the development sector”.