Boyzone star Ronan Keating sang a heartbreaking rendition of This Is Your at his emotional funeral service after his older brother Ciaran died in a horrific car crash in Ireland today.
Ronan was among the pallbearers who carried his older brother Ciaran Keating’s coffin into St Patrick’s Church in Lewisburg, County Mayo, before he performed a heartfelt musical tribute during the funeral.
Ciaran, who was in his 50s, died in a car crash in the rural county at the weekend as he traveled with his wife Annemarie to watch their son Ruari play football.
The father-of-three, from Lewisburg, suffered fatal injuries while traveling with Annemarie on the N5 near Swinford, County Mayo, on a stretch of road known as a black spot for accidents. His wife was injured in the accident.
Today, Ronan, 46, was overcome with emotion as he carried his brother’s coffin into St Patrick’s Church for a funeral in a black suit and dark sunglasses.
They were followed by a crowd of mourners, including members of Cork City FC, for whom Ciaran’s son Ruiri plays, as well as representatives from the Mary Keating Foundation cancer charity.
Boyzone star Ronan Keating (second left) was among the pallbearers who carried his older brother Ciaran’s coffin to his funeral service in Ireland after he died in a horrific car crash.
Ronan Keating (centre left) helps carry his brother Ciaran Keating’s coffin into St Patrick’s Church in Lewisburg,
Ronan Keating is pictured with his older brother Ciaran
Ronan Keating (centre left) helps carry his brother Ciaran Keating’s coffin to St Patrick’s Church in Lewisburg for his funeral
They were followed by a crowd of mourners, including members of Cork City FC, for whom Ciaran’s son Ruiri plays, as well as representatives from the Mary Keating Foundation cancer charity.
Ronan later sang This Is Your at the end of an emotional performance this afternoon.
The lyrics read: ‘You were our friend, walk with you till the end, And one day we’ll all sing together, ‘Cause this is your song.’
The former Boyzone singer said the song was written after their mother Mary died in 1998.
‘I shouldn’t be singing under these circumstances but we are and we will,’ said Keating.
He added that Ciaran’s children have made their father ‘very proud’.
The Irish singer ‘dropped everything’ to rush to comfort his family in Ireland after hearing Ciaran was killed in a car crash at the weekend.
A friend of the Boyzone and The One Show star said he was ‘absolutely devastated’ but ‘trying to stay strong for the sake of his family’, while his former bandmate Keith Duffy and other stars paid personal tributes to his late brother.
Ronan Keating (centre left) helps carry his brother Ciaran Keating’s coffin to St Patrick’s Church in Lewisburg for his funeral
An emotional Rohan carried his brother Ciaran’s coffin into the church through Lewisburg ahead of his funeral on Thursday.
Ronan Keating and his brother Ciaran (left) pictured at a charity event in early July
Ronan Keating was seen carrying his brother’s coffin ahead of the funeral in Lewisburg on Thursday
They were followed by a crowd of mourners, including members of Cork City FC, for whom Ciaran’s son Ruiri plays, as well as representatives from the Mary Keating Foundation cancer charity.
Ciaran, a car salesman, and his wife were driving to watch their son Ruairi, 28, play for Cork City in a League of Ireland match with Sligo Rovers when their car collided with another car on Sunday afternoon.
The driver of the other car is said to be receiving treatment for serious injuries while secondary school teacher Ann Marie was treated for non-life-threatening injuries at Mayo University Hospital.
Ciaran and Ronan, who have three other siblings, lost their mother Marie to cancer in 1998. The family went on to set up the Mary Keating Foundation in her honour.
As news of the accident emerged, Ronan’s Boyzone bandmate Keith Duffy paid heartfelt tribute to Ciaran.
The former Coronation Street actor said: ‘I cannot fathom the loss and devastation to my brother @rocketing and all the Keating family. All of my family are praying and thinking of our Keating family right now.
‘From the early days you traveled with us, in the early days you were a great guide in our travels. You have helped and supported our young innocent children.
‘Take your place in heaven with your mam Mary.’
Former EastEnders actor Sean Maguire was one of many to comment on Keith’s ongoing post, writing: ‘Oh no. how horrible Ciaran was a sweetheart. As funny as he was… loved the guy. Sending love to you and Keating.’
Strictly Come Dancing professional Nadia Bychkova and BBC presenter Gethin Jones also offered their condolences to the Keating family.
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.’
Mourners watch as Ciaran’s coffin is carried into the church
The accident happened just a few days before football player Rueri’s 28th birthday. The footballer started the match for Cork against Sligo Rovers, but was taken off at half-time.
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.
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
This is a breaking news story, more to follow…