HOMELESS SHELTER VISIT
man of great underprivileged.”
Br Crowley said a massive security operation is already in place.
He added: “We had a number of people in from Rome yesterday making preparations already.”
In May 2011, a large security team carried out several recces of the locations where the former US President Barack Obama stopped off during his concern for the historic State visit to Ireland. Br Crowley also spoke of why he first set up the centre.
He added: “In 1969 we saw so many people walking the streets during the day time and I felt we, as a Capuchin Centre, didn’t think it was all appropriate.
“When we started in 1969 we had about 50 people coming into the centre and now each morning we open our doors between 6.30am and 7am and we feed anything from 200 to 300 people in the morning time.
“At lunch we open again and have about 500 to 600 people.
“I think it’s scandalous we have that in this day and age.”
The pontiff’s visit to Ireland in August will mark the first papal visit since John Paul II in 1979. Centre and, left, Br Kevin Crowley