Fighter ‘King’ bringing Jesus to the Travellers
THE Life And Light group became the main evangelical mission to Travellers largely because of the work of Dan Rooney, a bare-knuckle fighter and a man honoured as ‘the King of the Travellers’.
His most famous win took place in Crossmaglen, Co. Armagh in 1990, where he beat his opponent in front of hundreds in the main square.
Mr Rooney is honoured by many in the Traveller community as the best fighter in history. However, he said he felt his real mission was to bring Jesus into Traveller’s lives. He has gone around the country with Light And Life, urging Travellers to devote themselves to God and to end excessive drinking, crime and drugs. He has urged respect for women and family values.
He made a point of returning to Crossmaglen 20 years after his famous victory, to preach peace and love in a Life And Light marquee.
The preacher features in many YouTube videos alongside members of the Light and Life community. It’s not yet known whether he will be at the event in Portmarnock.