The help provided to grieving families by the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust “cannot be overstated” Tánaiste Micheál Martin has said as he honoured the work of the charity’s founders.
Newry’s Colin and Eithne Bell, who founded the trust after the death of their son Kevin in 2013, were welcomed on Wednesday by Mr Martin to Iveagh House in Dublin, the headquarters of the Republic’s Department for Foreign Affairs.
Mr Martin, the Republic’s foreign minister, praised the “strong partnership” his department has with the trust when working to bring home the remains of Irish people who die overseas.
Since its founding in 2013, the charity has supported the loved ones of over 1,800 Irish citizens who have died abroad, alleviating the financial cost of returning the bodies.
The work began when Colin and Eithne raised funds to bring home the body of their 26-year-old son Kevin, who was killed in a hit-and-run collision in New York in 2013.
They donated excess funds raised in their campaign to other families facing similar grief, and from there continued with the vital work, eventually founding the trust and naming it in honour of Kevin.
“The solace and support the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust (KBRT) provides to bereaved families during the repatriation cannot be overstated,” Mr Martin said.
The Tánaiste also presented the Bells with a sculpture from artist Kevin Casey, carved from ancient bog oak, titled ‘Homecoming’ and symbolising the hand of friendship provided by their charity to families across the island in their time of need.
“I particularly want to pay tribute to Colin and Eithne Bell, along with the rest of the Bell family,” Mr Martin said.
“In the depths of their own grief at the tragic loss of their beloved son, Kevin, they extended the hand of friendship to other bereaved families by setting up the KBRT, providing support to those in need in the most difficult and devastating of circumstances.”
Mr Martin added: “While Kevin’s life was cut short, his legacy lives on through the trust. I place great value on the strong partnership that exists between my department and the KBRT.”
