Ronan Keating rushed back to Ireland when he heard his brother Ciaran had died in horror car crash

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 horrific car accident

Ciaran Keating, who was in his 50s and from Louisburgh, Ireland, was killed when he traveled 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 is “trying to stay strong for the sake of his family,” while his former bandmate Keith Duffy and other stars have paid tribute to his dead brother.

Ciaran, the father of three children, was fatally injured when he was driving with his wife on the N5 near Swinford, County Mayo, on a stretch of road known as an accident black spot around 3.35pm.

The car salesman and his wife were 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.

Ronan’s Boyzone bandmate Keith Duffy shared a heartfelt tribute to Ciaran on social media last night.

The former Coronation Street actor told his followers: ‘I cannot comprehend the loss and devastation of my brother @rokeating and the entire Keating family. My entire family is praying and thinking about our Keating family at this time.

‘Ciaran from the beginning you toured with us, you were a great guide on our journey in the beginning. You helped and supported us young innocent children.

“Take your place in heaven, buddy with your Mam Marie.”

Ciaran and Ronan, who have three other siblings, lost their mother Marie to cancer in 1998. The family established the Marie Keating Foundation in her honor.

Former EastEnders actor Sean Maguire was one of many to comment on Keith’s moving message, writing: ‘Oh no. How awful. Ciaran was a sweetheart. He was so nice to you, loved the man. I send you and the Keating’s love.’

Strictly Come Dancing professional Nadiya Bychkova and BBC presenter Gethin Jones also shared their condolences to the Keating family.

According to The sun, a friend of Ronan’s said, “It’s the call no one wants to take about their loved ones. Ronan dropped everything as soon as he heard the devastating news.

“He’s trying to stay strong for the sake of the family and doing everything he can to support his sister-in-law and nephews.”

The fatal collision involved two cars in the Ballymiles town area, close to both Bohola and Swinford.

The driver of the other vehicle is reportedly being treated for serious injuries, while Anmarie, a high school teacher, was treated for injuries believed to be non-life threatening at Mayo University Hospital.

Another male passenger in that vehicle was also hospitalized.

The crash came just days before footballer Ruairí’s 28th birthday.

Ciaran’s son Ruairí started the match for Cork against Sligo Rovers but was taken off at half time.

The striker played for Sligo Rovers and Galway United, as well as England’s Torquay United.

Ciarán was involved in the licensed pub trade in the village of Lecanvey, a seaside village about four miles from Westport.

A technical investigation of the accident scene and the vehicles involved has been carried out by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators.

Cork City FC said in a statement: ‘Everyone at Cork City FC is deeply saddened by the passing of Ciarán Keating, the father of our player Ruairí Keating.

“We extend our deepest condolences 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 during this difficult time.

“Funeral arrangements will be confirmed in due course.”

Mayo Independent Councilor Christy Hyland said: “Our condolences go out to the entire Keating family. Ciarán’s death is really shocking.’

The stretch of road where Mr. Keating’s brother died is known as a traffic accident.

Mayo Councilman John O’Malley also offered condolences. He said: “Everyone is shocked and saddened by the terrible news. He was highly regarded by all who knew him here and we think of his wife and children and his extended family.’

The Co Mayo coroner has been notified of the collision and an autopsy will be performed at a later date.

Garda forensic collision investigators combed the crime scene last night and the road has since reopened.

Ciarán’s death was one of three road deaths over the weekend, in which a rally driver and his racing colleague were killed in a crash on stage six of the Sligo Rally.

Ronan is the youngest of five children, with a sister, Linda, and three brothers – Ciarán, Gerard and Gary.

Their father Gerry was a truck driver and their mother Marie, who died in 1998 at the age of 51, was a hairdresser.

The crash came just days before footballer Ruairí’s 28th birthday.

Ronan was said to have been golfing in St Albans, Hertfordshire, with his wife Storm, 41, before learning of the crash.

Ronan Keating rose to fame in the 1990s as a member of the boy band Boyzone, which became one of the best-selling acts of its time.

He later embarked on a successful solo music career and hosted numerous radio and TV programmes.

Keating was a guest presenter on BBC’s The One Show before becoming main presenter in May 2021.

Last month it was announced that the star has been booked as a coach on the 13th series of The Voice of Germany.

Ronan’s group Boyzone has 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.