Ronan Keating ‘dropped everything’ to return to his family in Ireland when he heard his older brother had died in a horrific car crash.
Ciaran Keating, who was in his 50s and from Lewisburg, Ireland, was killed when he went with his wife Annemarie to watch their son Ruiry play football.
A friend of the Boyzone and The One Show star said she was ‘absolutely devastated’ but ‘trying to stay strong for the sake of her family’, as they described the tragedy as a ‘cruel bolt from the blue’.
Father-of-three Ciaran was fatally injured as he traveled with his wife on the N5 near Swinford, Co Mayo, at 3.35am on a stretch of road known as a black spot for accidents.
The car salesman and his wife were driving to watch their son Ruiri, 27, play for Cork City in a League of Ireland match with Sligo Rovers when their car collided with another car.
Ciaran Keating (second from left), is 50 and from Lewisburg, Ireland
Ronan Keating’s older brother died in a car crash yesterday while he was with his wife to watch their son play football
Ciaran’s son Ruairi (pictured) started for Cork against Sligo but was substituted at half-time. He is 28 years old today.
Ciaran was fatally injured as he was traveling with his wife on the N5 near Swinford, Co Mayo, at around 3.35pm, on a stretch of road known as a black spot for accidents.
According to The Sun, a friend of Ronan said: ‘It’s a phone call nobody wants to take about their loved ones. Ronan drops everything upon hearing the devastating news.
‘She is trying to stay strong for the sake of the family and is doing everything to support her sister-in-law and her nephews.’
The fatal collision happened between two cars in the town of Ballymiles, near both Bohola and Swinford.
The driver of the other vehicle is said to be receiving treatment for serious injuries while secondary school teacher Anmari was treated for non-life-threatening injuries at Mayo University Hospital.
Another male passenger of the car was also admitted to the hospital.
Ciaran Keating (left) worked as a car salesman and is believed to have previously run a bar
Ronan Keating and Storm Keating attended the Grand Reveal Weekend for the new ultra-luxury hotel Atlantis The Royal in Dubai on January 21st
The road where the accident happened has been reopened after a technical examination of the scene by Garda forensic collision investigators.
Ciaran’s son Ruiri started the match for Cork against Sligo Rovers, but was taken off at half-time.
The accident happened 24 hours before Ruari’s 28th birthday. The forward played for Irish teams Sligo Rovers and Galway United as well as English team Torquay United.
Cork City FC said in a statement: ‘All at Cork City FC are deeply saddened by the death of Ciaran Keating, father of our player Ruiri Keating.
‘We extend our deepest sympathies to Ruiri and the entire Keating family at this exceptionally difficult time. May she rest in peace.
Boyzone star Ronan, 46, is believed to have rushed to Ireland to be with family following the tragedy involving his brother (fourth from left).
‘We ask that the family’s privacy be respected at this difficult time. Funeral arrangements will be ensured in due course.’
Ciaran worked as a car salesman and is believed to have previously run a bar.
Councilor John O’Malley offered his condolences and said: ‘Everyone is shocked and saddened by this terrible news.
‘He was highly respected by all who knew him here and we are thinking of his wife and children and his extended family.’
The accident happened just a few days before football player Rueri’s 28th birthday.
The forward played for Sligo Rovers and Galway United as well as English side Torquay United.
Ciaran was involved in a licensed pub business in the seaside village of Lecanvey, about six kilometers from Westport.
Garda forensic collision investigators conducted a technical examination of the accident scene and the vehicles involved.
Cork City FC said in a statement: ‘All at Cork City FC are deeply saddened by the death of Ciaran Keating, father of our player Ruiri Keating.
‘We extend our deepest sympathies to Ruiri and the entire Keating family at this exceptionally difficult time. May she rest in peace. We want to respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time.
‘Funeral arrangements will be confirmed in due course.’
Independent Mayo councilor Christy Hyland said: ‘Our condolences go out to all the Keating family. Ciaran’s death is truly tragic.’
The stretch of road where Mr Keating’s brother died is known as the crash black spot.
Mayo councilor John O’Malley expressed his condolences. He said: ‘Everyone is shocked and saddened by the embarrassing news. He was highly respected by all who knew him here and we are thinking of his wife and children and his extended family.’
The accident happened 24 hours before Ruari’s 28th birthday. The forward has played for Irish sides Sligo Rovers and Galway United as well as English side Torquay United.
According to The Sun, a friend of Ronan said: ‘It’s a phone call nobody wants to take about their loved ones. Ronan drops everything upon hearing the devastating news
The Co Mayo Coroner has been notified of the collision and a post-mortem will be carried out later.
Garda forensic collision investigators combed the scene yesterday evening and the road has been reopened.
Ronan is the youngest of five children, one sister Linda and three brothers – Ciaran, Gerard and Gary.
Their father Gerry was a lorry driver and their mother Mary, who died in 1998 aged 51, was a hairdresser.
The accident happened just a few days before football player Rueri’s 28th birthday.
He was said to have been playing golf in St Albans, Hertfordshire, with his wife Storm, 41, before learning of the accident.
Ronan Keating (portrayed in BBC’s The One Show) rose to stardom in the 1990s as a member of boyband Boyzone
Ronan was said to have been golfing with his wife Storm, 41, in St Albans, Hertfordshire, before learning of the accident. July 15 picture
Ronan Keating rose to stardom in the 1990s as a member of the boyband Boyzone, which became one of the best-selling acts of its era.
He later embarked on a successful solo music career and presented numerous radio and TV shows.
Keating guest-presented BBC’s The One Show before becoming main presenter in May 2021.
It was announced last month that the star has been booked as a coach in the 13th series of The Voice of Germany.
Ronan’s group Boyzone had nine singles in Ireland and six in the UK. Of the 24 singles released in the UK, 21 entered the top 40 Ronan has had three number 1 singles and four number 1 albums in the UK charts
Ciaran’s death was one of three road accidents over the weekend, where a rally driver and his race partner died during a crash on stage six of the Sligo Rally.
Read Full News Here