Fr DECLAN COLLINS
30.05.1952 - 16.11.2002
November 2002: Irish Provincial Fr Michael Smyth's Press Release
and Report from Southern African Provincial Fr Robert Gore

Fr Declan Collins, SDB, a member of the Salesians of Don Bosco was murdered late on Saturday night at his presbytery at Ennerdale near Johannesburg

Fr Declan Collins, SDB, a member of the Salesians of Don Bosco, was murdered late on Saturday night at his presbytery at Ennerdale near Johannesburg.

Born at Baltray Co. Louth in 1952, Fr Declan was the son of Maurice and Monica Collins, one of a family of four sons and two daughters. On completing his schooling in Clongowes Wood College, Declan worked for a number of years with AIB, before joining the Salesians in 1979.

He did his initial training in Pallaskenry, Co. Limerick, at the Salesian Novitiate in Crumlin, Dublin and in Maynooth.

He was ordained priest on 4th July 1990 and went to South Africa in February 1991. His work there was varied and challenging. He taught for a short while at the St John Bosco College at Daleside near Johannesburg, and then worked for several years with street children, first in Capetown and later in Manzini, Swaziland.

Just about a year ago, he took up an appointment at Ennerdale, an Indian township near Johannesburg. On Saturday night (16 November 2002) he was putting the finishing touches to preparations for the opening and blessing of a new multi-purpose hall. A short time later he was found dead by a colleague, Fr Matthew Agostinelli. He had suffered multiple wounds in what appears to have been an attempted robbery.

Fr Declan had a heart of gold. He will be remembered for his deep concern for young people in difficulty — a quality that was evident even in his days in the bank when he devoted much of his spare time to voluntary work in various youth clubs. Those who knew him speak also of his courage in difficult and challenging situations, his sense of humour and his exceptional generosity. We have lost a good priest and a generous missionary.

Johannesburg (South Africa) 17 November 2002 – Dear Confreres

Dear Confreres


I thank you for your calls of condolences and sympathy. Today we had the opening of the Church/ Hall at Lawley, as Declan had planned it. It was a time of sadness and joy, as confusing as the feelings that comes with life and death, when is such close proximity to each other. The congregations were devastated with the news, and flowers were placed on the spot that Declan died just to the left of the front door of the house, his blood staining his newly laid tar.

Just a few details as I know them. Fr Agostinelli returned at about 11pm from a visit to find the house in darkness and a body outside on the tar. He couldn't find Declan... he phoned the police, when there was no response he phoned one of the parishioners and had him go to the police station to bring the police. He phoned me at about 11.45pm with his suspicions. This was confirmed just as I finished dressing and I made my way to Ennerdale arriving at about 12.20am. A policeman and some of the local neighbours were present with Mattie... they were waiting for the detectives. Parishioners started to arrive. Declan lay on his back on the tar, his face bloodied and two stab wounds in his chest. I spare you any further details but to add that there had been a bloody struggle in the lounge. There were tears of devastation, prayers of mourning and grief.

The murder weapons (brick and kitchen knife) were in the house. There was no sign of any forced entry. The large gates had been left open for Fr Mattie's return. It is thought that Declan may have forgotten about locking the gate at the front door, and answering the door had been forced back in. The other thought is that he may have known the perpetrator(s) and let them in. The only stolen item that has been identified was his wallet. Nothing else seems to have been touched. I left the scene after the detectives had left, at about 3.00am.

The wallet was found at six this morning by a neighbour on the other side of the road. Thinking that Declan had lost it or had it stolen, phoned to let him know. His driving licence etc was in it, but no money. She then heard the bad news. There are of course many more questions, most of them have no answers.

Declan was born on 30th May 1952 in Termonfeckin, Co. Louth and ordained there on the 5th July 1990. Before coming to the Salesians he worked in the Irish Bank. Both his parents are in their nineties and he also has brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews. His Salesian ministry with street children and the poor, especially those who are discriminated against by the social and political system, is well known. More than likely his body will be returned to Ireland to be buried in the family plot. Please pray for the happy repose of Declan's soul, for comfort and consolation for his family.

Fr Robert J. Gore SDB
Salesians of Don Bosco
66 Nelson Rd
BOOYSENS
2091 Rep South Africa

Tel: 011- 6801235
Fax: 00-27-11-6801680
Cell: 0828470963