A devastated Ronan Keating rushed back to Ireland Saturday after learning via a phone call that his brother Ciaran Keating had died in a car crash.
According to various reports the two-vehicle accident happened on the N5 at Ballymiles, near Swinford, Co Mayo, at about 3.35 pm on Saturday 15 July.
The SUN reports that Ciaran, a car salesman in his 50s, had been driving to watch his 28-year-old son Ruairí’ play football for Cork City on Saturday afternoon when the accident happened.
His teacher wife Ann Marie, who was in the car with him, was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The driver of the second car is in a serious condition, while their passenger was also injured.
Ruairí’s soccer team announced news of his death on social media, saying that it was "deeply saddened at the passing of Ciaran Keating, father of our player Ruairí Keating".
"We extend our deepest sympathies to Ruairi and the entire Keating family at this exceptionally difficult time.
"We ask that the family's privacy be respected. Funeral arrangements will be confirmed in due course.
"May he rest in peace."
All at Cork City FC are deeply saddened at the passing of Ciaran Keating, father of our player Ruairí Keating.
— Cork City FC (@CorkCityFC) July 16, 2023
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… pic.twitter.com/g3sclk9GaE
Pictured below: Ciaran Keating: As published by Mayo Live
Ronan Keating comes from a large and extremely tight-knit family, Ciaran was a father of three, and Ronan himself is a father of five. Dublin-born Ronan has three other siblings, sister, Linda, and two other brothers, Gerard and Gary.
The police are said to be seeking witnesses to the tragic event.
May you RIP Ciaran Keating.
