Ronan Keating rushed to Ireland on hearing his brother died in crash
Ronan Keating ‘dropped everything’ to rush back to Ireland when he heard his older brother, in his 50s, had died in horror car crash – as friend says the singer is ‘absolutely devastated’
- Ciaran Keating was going to see son Ruairí play an Irish Premier League match
Ronan Keating ‘dropped everything’ to rush back to Ireland when he heard his older brother had died in a horror car crash.
Ciaran Keating, who was in his 50s and from Louisburgh, Ireland, was killed as he travelled with his wife to watch their son play football.
A friend of the Boyzone and The One Show star said he is ‘absolutely devastated’, describing the tragedy as a ‘cruel bolt from the blue’.
Father-of-three Ciaran suffered fatal injuries as he was travelling at around 3.35pm with his wife on the N5 near Swinford, Co Mayo, on a stretch of road known as a black-spot for accidents.
He and his wife Ann Marie had been driving to watch their son Ruairí, 27, play for Cork City in a premier league match with Sligo Rovers, when their car collided with another vehicle.
The driver of the other vehicle is said to be receiving treatment for serious injuries while Ann Marie, a secondary school teacher, was treated for injuries which are understood to be non-life threatening at Mayo University Hospital.
Ciaran Keating (second from left), was in his 50s and from Louisburgh, Ireland
Ronan Keating ‘s older brother died in a car crash yesterday as he travelled with his wife to watch their son play football
Ciaran’s son Rurairi (pictured) started the game against Sligo for Cork but was substituted at halftime. He turned 28 today.
Ciaran suffered fatal injuries as he was travelling at around 3.35pm with his wife on the N5 near Swinford, Co Mayo, on a stretch of road known as a black-spot for accidents
According to The Sun, a friend of Ronan’s said: ‘It’s the phone call no one wants to take about their loved ones. Ronan dropped everything as soon as he heard the devastating news.
‘He is trying to stay strong for the sake of the family and is doing everything he can to support his sister-in-law and his nephews.’
Ciaran’s son Ruairí started the match for Cork against Sligo Rovers, but was taken off at halftime.
The crash came 24 hours before Ruairí’s 28th birthday. The forward has played for Irish teams Sligo Rovers and Galway United as well as English side Torquay United.
In a statement Cork City FC said: ‘All at Cork City FC are deeply saddened at the passing of Ciaran Keating, father of our player Ruairí Keating.
‘We extend our deepest sympathies to Ruairí and the entire Keating family at this exceptionally difficult time. May he rest in peace.
Ciaran Keating (left) is believed to have worked as a car salesman and previously ran a bar
Boyzone star Ronan, 46, is believed to have rushed to Ireland to be with the family following the tragedy concerning his brother (fourth from the left)
‘We ask that the family’s privacy be respected at this difficult time. Funeral arrangements will be confirmed in due course.’
Ciaran is believed to have worked as a car salesman and previously ran a bar.
Councillor John O’Malley offered his condolences and said: ‘Everyone is shocked and saddened by the awful news.
‘He was highly regarded by all who knew him here and we are thinking of his wife and children and his extended family.’
The League of Ireland also expressed its condolences to the Keating family.
A tweet said: ‘The League of Ireland is deeply saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Ruairi Keating’s father Ciaran.
‘We would like to send our condolences to Ruairi and his family and all at @CorkCityFC at this very difficult time.’
Christy Hyland, an Independent member of Mayo County Council, said today: ‘Our sympathy goes out to all the Keating family. Ciaran’s death is truly shocking’.
The crash came 24 hours before Ruairí’s 28th birthday. The forward has played for Irish teams Sligo Rovers and Galway United as well as English side Torquay United
According to The Sun , a friend of Ronan’s said: ‘It’s the phone call no one wants to take about their loved ones. Ronan dropped everything as soon as he heard the devastating news
The Co Mayo coroner has been notified of the collision and a post mortem is to take place later.
Garda forensic collision investigators combed the scene yesterday evening and the road has since reopened.
Ronan, 46, is the youngest of five children with one sister, Linda, and three brothers – Ciarán, Gerard and Gary. Their dad Gary was a lorry driver and his mum Marie was a hairdresser.
He is said to have been playing golf in St Albans, Hertfordshire, with his wife Storm, 41, before learning of the crash.
Ronan Keating rose to prominence during the 1990s as a member of Irish boyband Boyzone.
He later enjoyed a successful music career and has presented radio and TV programmes. He appeared on ITV1 on Saturday as a judge on The Voice Kids.
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