Ronan Keating ‘dropped everything’ to rush back to comfort his family in Ireland after learning his older brother had died and his sister-in-law was injured in a horror car crash.
Ciaran Keating, who was in his 50s and from Louisburgh, Ireland, was killed as he travelled with his wife Annmarie to watch their son Ruairí play football.
A friend of the Boyzone and The One Show star said he is ‘absolutely devastated’ but ‘trying to stay strong for the sake of his family’, as they described 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.
The car salesman and his wife had been driving to watch their son Ruairí, 27, play for Cork City in a League of Ireland match with Sligo Rovers, when their car collided with another vehicle.
Ciaran Keating (second from left), was in his 50s and from Louisburgh, Ireland. Pictured: The Keating family including Ronan (second from right), his father Gerry (centre) and sister Linda (third from left)
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.’
The fatal collision involved two cars in the townland of Ballymiles, close to both Bohola and Swinford.
The driver of the other vehicle is said to be receiving treatment for serious injuries while Anmarie, a secondary school teacher, was treated for injuries which are understood to be non-life threatening at Mayo University Hospital.
Another male passenger in that vehicle was also hospitalised.
Ciaran Keating (left) is believed to have worked as a car salesman and previously ran a bar. Pictured centre: Ronan’s son Jack. Right: Ronan Keating
Ronan Keating and Storm Keating attend the Grand Reveal Weekend for Atlantis The Royal, Dubai’s new ultra-luxury hotel on January 21
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). Pictured: A family photo shared by Ronan to celebrate his dad’s 80th birthday in 2020
The crash came just days before soccer player Ruairí’s 28th birthday.
Ciaran’s son Ruairí started the match for Cork against Sligo Rovers, but was taken off at halftime.
The forward has played for Sligo Rovers and Galway United, as well as English side Torquay United.
Ciarán was involved in the licensed pub trade in the village of Lecanvey, a seaside village, about six kilometres from Westport.
A technical examination of the crash scene and the vehicles involved has been conducted by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators.
Cork City FC said in a statement: ‘All at Cork City FC are deeply saddened at the passing of Ciarán 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. We ask that the family’s privacy be respected at this difficult time.
‘Funeral arrangements will be confirmed in due course.’
Independent Mayo councillor Christy Hyland said: ‘Our sympathy goes out to all the Keating family. Ciarán’s death is truly shocking.’
The stretch of road where Mr Keating’s brother died is known as an accident black-spot.
Mayo councillor John O’Malley also offered condolences. He 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 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.
Ciarán’s death was one of three road fatalities at the weekend, with a rally driver and his race colleague dying during a crash on stage six of the Sligo Rally.
Ronan is the youngest of five children, with one sister, Linda, and three brothers – Ciarán, Gerard and Gary.
Their father Gerry was a lorry driver and their mother Marie, who died in 1998 at the age of 51, was a hairdresser.
The crash came just days before soccer player Ruairí’s 28th birthday.
He is said to have been playing golf in St Albans, Hertfordshire, with his wife Storm, 41, before learning of the crash.
Ronan Keating (pictured on the BBC’s The One Show) rose to stardom in the 1990s as a member of boyband Boyzone
Ronan is said to have been playing golf in St Albans, Hertfordshire, with his wife Storm, 41, before learning of the crash. Pictured on July 15
Ronan Keating rose to stardom in the 1990s as a member of boyband Boyzone, which became one of the best-selling acts of its era.
He later embarked on a successful solo music career and has presented numerous radio and TV programmes.
Keating guest-presented BBC’s The One Show before becoming a main presenter, in May 2021.
It was announced last month that the star has been booked as a coach on the 13th series of The Voice of Germany.
Ronan’s group Boyzone have had nine No 1 singles in Ireland and six in the UK. Of the 24 singles they released in the UK, 21 entered the top 40. Ronan has had three solo No 1 singles and four No 1 albums in the UK charts.
