Tributes have been paid to the brother of Ronan Keating, who died in a road crash as he drove to watch his football son play a game. And, in a bitter twist, it has also emerged that Ciaran Keating, 57, died just hours before his son Ruairi, who plays for Cork City FC, celebrated his 28th birthday yesterday.
Mr. Keating, who is the older brother of the former Boyzone singer, was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision. His car and another vehicle were discovered in Swinford, Co. Mayo, on Saturday afternoon.
The businessman, who has lived in the Westport and Louisburgh areas of Mayo for more than 20 years, was traveling with his wife, Ann Marie. They were watching Ruairi play for Cork City against Sligo Rovers in a League of Ireland Premier Division game.
Ruairi, a talented striker, played in the first half of the game, which Cork lost 3-0, before being substituted after 46 minutes. A spokesman for Ronan, who was in South Africa with his wife Storm when the tragedy happened, declined to comment last night.
The spokesman said, “I’m not able to comment at present, but I trust that you will respect the family’s privacy at this difficult time.” Mr. Keating, who worked in sales and previously ran a pub in Mayo, suffered fatal injuries in the two-vehicle impact in the townland of Ballymiles, about halfway between Swinford and Bohola.
His wife, Ann Marie, a secondary teacher, was taken to Mayo University Hospital for treatment ofnon-life-threatening injuries. The second vehicle's male driver is receiving treatment for serious injuries. Also hospitalized was a male passenger in the second vehicle.
Mr. Keating’s death is widely mourned in his adopted Westport and in the wider community.
Christy Hyland, an Independent member of Mayo County Council, said: “Our sympathy extends out to all the Keating family. Ciaran’s death is truly shocking.”
The footballer whose father got killed
As well as his own family and Ronan, he is survived by his sister Linda and brothers Gerard and Gary.
For a time, Mr. Keating was involved in the licensed pub trade in Lecanvey, about four miles from Westport. Garda Forensic Collision Investigators conducted a technical examination of the crash scene and vehicles involved.
The Mayo coroner has been notified, and a postmortem is scheduled later. The Gardai appeal to anyone who witnessed this collision to contact them. Anyone with information is asked to contact Swinford Garda Station on 094 925 2990, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
Cork City, for whom Ruairi Keating signed in 2022 from Galway United and has scored 50 goals, extended their sympathies to him and his family yesterday. The club said in a statement: “All at Cork City FC are deeply saddened by the passing of Ciaran Keating, father of our player Ruairi Keating. We extend our deepest sympathies to Ruairi and the entire Keating family at this
Exceptionally difficult time. May he rest in peace. We ask that family privacy be respected at this difficult time. “Funeral arrangements will be confirmed soon." And several League of Ireland clubs, including Cobh Ramblers, Bohemians, and Shelbourne, also expressed their sympathies.
Locals in Louisburgh told the Irish Mirror that the family had lived in Mayo for 20years. They were well known throughout the area. As well as Ruairi, the couple has another son, Conall, who is an actor in Dublin. He is married to Fair City actor Amilia Stewart, and the couple have two sons.
As well as being a businessman, Mr. Keating was also a board member of the Marie Keating Foundation. This was set up by the family after their mother died of breast cancer in 1998.
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