HEARTBROKEN Ronan Keating hailed the strength of his late brother’s "incredible" children - as his dad told of the brutal moment he learned his son had died.
Ciaran Keating was remembered as his family’s "rock and leader", his wife Annemarie missing from his funeral mass as she recovered from injuries sustained in the crash that claimed his life.
The big brother of Boyzone star Ronan and father of three died in a car accident at Ballymiles, Co Mayo on Saturday afternoon.
Ciaran had been driving to watch his son Ruairi, 28, play football for Cork City against Sligo Rovers in the League of Ireland when the tragedy occurred.
Heartbroken dad Gerry led a sea of mourners through the village of Louisburgh, Co Mayo as his son’s coffin was carried to local St Patrick’s church for requiem mass.
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Dad-of-three Ciaran, 57, was remembered as the family's "hero" by grieving son Ruairi, who said he was the whole clan's "rock and leader".
A floral tribute with the word ‘Papa’ across it was placed on the altar in front of the coffin, symbolising Ciaran’s treasured role as grandad to Bobbi May, as well as Reggie, Archie T and Sonnie.
A single white rose from a bush planted by Ciaran and Annemarie when they became grandparents, was also placed on the coffin.
The sombre celebration began with a powerful rendition of Amazing Grace by Ciaran’s talented nephew Josh, who was then followed by superstar Ronan near the end of the ceremony.
Before he began, Ronan hailed the strength of Ciaran’s three “incredible” children throughout the devastating ordeal.
He also honoured Annemarie, Ciaran’s beloved wife, who was injured in the collision and could not attend the ceremony.
Speaking to a packed out St Patrick’s church, he said: "As a parent all you want to do is raise your children as best you can.
"Ciaran and Annemarie have done a spectacular job - three incredible human beings. Your strength over the past few days has been incredible and you've done your dad very proud."
Ronan sang the song, which was written after their mother Marie died in 1998, towards the end of the emotional service.
The 46-year-old said: "This song was written 25 years ago when we lost our mum.
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"I shouldn't be singing it in these circumstances but we are and we will."
Lyrics included: "You were our friend, walk with you till the end, and one day we'll all sing along, 'cause this is your song."
Ronan was joined by wife Storm, as well as his three older children Jack, Missy and Ali for the mass.
Jack, Missy and Ali read prayers of the faithful in tribute to their uncle.
Ronan supported his dad Gerry, who spoke a few words in tribute to his son at the end of the mass and said news of Ciaran's death "was the worst news I got in my life".
He said how he was always in contact with his son about football matches, and was waiting for the update on Ruairi's latest game when he learned Ciaran had died.
DAD'S HEARTACHE
Gerry said: "On the Saturday (that Ciaran died) I was waiting for the text or the message.
"I got the message at quarter past eight, I got the bad news, and it was the worst news I got in my life."
Gerry also spoke of Ciaran's work with the Marie Keating Foundation.
He said: "If there was a driver short anywhere, Ciaran would drop everything in Mayo and prepare to drive the unit for the foundation.
"He'd never say no, he never complained about anything."
Ciaran's son Conall said "grandparents" became his parents' proudest title four years ago when they welcomed their first grandchild Bobbi May.
A floral tribute with the word 'Papa' across it was placed on the altar in front of the coffin - symbolising Ciaran's treasured role as grandad to Bobbi May, as well as Reggie, Archie T and Sonnie.
A single rose placed on the coffin was from the rose bush Ciaran and Annemarie planted when they became grandparents.
Conall addressed his mum and grandmother, who were watching the funeral.
'TAKEN TOO SOON'
Conall, who previously appeared in RTE soap Fair City, said: "My dad gave his most difficult speech 25 years ago when he spoke about his beloved mother, and now I must give the most difficult speech about my beloved dad.
"He had the kindest heart, he wanted to help even when he didn’t know how.
"He was gifted, funny, talented, honest, kind, genuine loving, caring, brave and strong.
"He worked hard all his life, our da would do anything for anyone.
"He has been taken from us far too soon, our lives have been changed forever and our hearts are broken.
"The kids deserved to have him in their lives much, much longer and he was looking forward to it."
The distraught son spoke of all the family had planned for their father, adding that younger brother Ruairi had asked their "main man da" and "best friend" to be the best man at his wedding.
He added: "This is not what we expected, we are heartbroken. We'll miss his laugh.
"We wanted to go to an F1 with him, I wanted him to show me how to build a deck, Ruairi asked him to be best man at his wedding because he was his best friend and he had so much golf left to play.
"I wish we had more time. I love you, we love you."
Former Boyzone star Keith Duffy and rugby player Shane Byrne were also at the service.
MUCH MISSED
At his mother’s request, emotional son Ruairi also addressed mourners, reading aloud the poem “Late Fragment” by Raymond Carver.
The funeral’s mass booklet features a picture collage documenting Mr Keating’s life, including pictures with his family, as well as his late mother Marie.
Several symbols representing Ciaran's life were presented at the mass, including a remote control symbolising his love for movies, a tankard glass remembering his fondness for a pint as well as a golf club to symbolise his love for the sport.
Other symbols included a Torquay United jersey, a BBQ spatula to represent his "famous steaks during Covid" and a family picture.
Members of Cork City FC as well as representatives of the Marie Keating Foundation cancer charity are among the mourners.
The funeral service was performed by Father Mattie Long at St Patrick's Church, Louisburgh in Mayo.
He extended the community's sympathy to the family at the "void" left by Ciaran's death.
He said: "Today we are struggling to make sense of an accident that has suddenly taken Ciaran from his wife Annemarie, from you, his family and friends.
"Today as a community, we offer our sympathy, we offer our prayers.
"But we know that for now and for a long time to come they won't really ease your pain.
"A person who was so full of life and humour and fun and energy, energy for living is gone from us.
"And there is now a void, an emptiness that only pain and tears seem to fill."
LAST FAREWELL
The clouds parted as Ciaran’s coffin left St Patrick’s church, followed by his heartbroken family.
Daughter Aisling held his white rose as she followed behind her father, and placed it on his coffin once again as they travelled through Louisburgh for burial.
The male driver of a second vehicle involved in the tragic incident is currently receiving treatment in hospital for serious injuries.
Ciaran is survived by his wife; their three children, Conall, Ruairí, and Aisling; his sister Linda; brothers Gerard, Gary and Ronan, and extended family members.
Devastated Ronan "dropped everything" to return to Ireland when he learned of his Ciaran's death in a devastating phone call at the weekend.
The singer is set to return to the stage in days at a festival in Finland, event chiefs confirmed.
The dad-of-five will perform at Seinäjoki Speed Days on Saturday.
