20 July 2023 , 16:21
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Heartbroken Ronan Keating performed an emotional musical tribute to his brother at his funeral mass as the devastated family united in their grief before his wife Storm comforted him.
The Boyzone singer carried big brother Ciaran Keating's coffin towards St Patrick's Church in Louisburgh, Ireland, for his funeral earlier today (Thursday).
Ronan sang This is Your Song towards the end of the service after his sibling's heartbreaking death over the weekend. Relatives are rallying around one another after Ciaran died in a car crash in Co Mayo at the weekend, in which his wife Annemarie was injured.
Ronan is one of five children, and is a father of five himself, and is the son of former lorry driver Gerry and his late mother Marie.
Ronan's wife Storm wrapped her arms around him to comfort the musician (PA)The One Show host, 46, reportedly rushed back to Ireland on Saturday after learning of Ciaran's tragic death.
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Ronan's big brother was travelling with his partner to watch their son play football when the collision took place on the N5 near Swinford.
The singer said the song was written after his mother, who died in 1998.
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 Keating and wife Storm with relatives outside St Patrick's Church in Ireland (PA)Ciaran is survived by his three children, Conall, Ruairi and Aisling and grand-children, Bobbi May, Reggie, Archie T. and Sonnie.
Before singing, Ronan said his niece and nephews had made their dad “very proud”.
“As a parent, all you want to do is raise your children as best you can, Ciaran and Annemarie have done a spectacular job,” he said.
“Three incredible human beings.
Ronan pictured with his son Jack and his late brother Ciaran (@rokeating/Instagram)“Your strength over the last few days has been so incredible, and you’ve made your dad very proud.
“This song was written 25 years ago when we lost our mum. I shouldn’t be singing it in these circumstances but we are and we will.”
Ann Marie, Ciaran's wife, was taken to Mayo University Hospital to receive treatment for non-life-threatening injuries while the male driver of the second vehicle is understood to be receiving treatment for severe injuries in the hospital. A male passenger in the second vehicle has also been hospitalised.
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Ronan and his family helped carry the coffin earlier today (PA)Members of Cork City FC, which Ciaran’s son Ruairi plays for, as well as representatives of the Marie Keating Foundation cancer charity, were among the mourners.
The Marie Keating Foundation was established in dedication to Ciaran and Ronan’s late mother who died of breast cancer aged 51.
Ciaran and Ronan’s father Gerry Keating spoke at the funeral.
Gerry Keating told those gathered about Ciaran’s childhood, his time playing football in his teenage years, and his love for his wife Annemarie.
Ronan came to the altar to console his father as he became emotional. “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 Keating said.