Government pays tribute to Justin Kilcullen on his retirement from Trócaire

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore T.D., and the Minister for Trade and Development, Joe Costello T.D., today paid warm tribute to Justin Kilcullen who has announced he will retire in October as Executive Director of Trócaire.

The Tánaiste said: “Justin Kilcullen has led Trócaire with energy and passion for two decades. His unswerving commitment to ending poverty and hunger and fighting for justice and human rights has made the world a better place for some of the most vulnerable communities in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.

“Over the past 20 years, Justin has brought the voices of the disenfranchised and the powerless to the world’s attention as Director of Trócaire and as President of Concord, the confederation of European development NGOs. He is also a member of the National Famine Commemoration Committee. On behalf of the Government, I would like to thank him for his tireless work and wish him well in the years ahead.”

The Minister for Trade and Development Joe Costello said: “Trócaire is renowned internationally for its dedication to achieving a just and peaceful world where people are equal and rights are respected. Justin Kilcullen has been a tireless advocate for human rights and social justice and he leaves an organisation very well-placed to continue this vital work.

“The Government, through Irish Aid, has been a strong supporter of Trócaire’s long-term development programmes and their work to respond to disaster and crises over many years because we recognise the value of their approach. The respect in which Justin is held in Ireland and internationally reflects the enormous contribution he has made to the lives of the world’s poorest people.”

April 18, 2013