Keating and Boyzone mourn Gately death

Former Meath resident Ronan Keating and his fellow Boyzone members expressed devastation at the loss of Stephen Gately, who died suddenly at his holiday home in Mallorca at the weekend, aged 33. Boyzone, who reunited this year for an O2 performance, was Ireland's first 'boyband' and hit the big time in the mid nineties, when Keating, who lived in Dunshaughlin and Dunsany, got together with Gately, Shane Lynch, Keith Duffy, and Mikey Graham, in Louis Walsh's band who went on to become world famous, paving the way for successors Westlife. A generation of youngsters and Meath teenagers followed Boyzone, and their first concert in Meath was in Summerhill, only their third ever concert in Ireland. They had originally being booked for November by organiser Niall McLoughlin, but the group's growing success and increased tv appearances meant that the concert was put off twice, eventually playing to a packed community centre. Their debut single 'Working My Way Back to You' and their than hit 'Love Me For a Reason' were on the playlist. They later returned to Keating's home territory with a gig in the County Club, Dunshaughlin, and met local schoolchildren on a visit to radio station Atlantic 252 in Trim. In a joint statement, Ronan, Keith, Mikey and Shane said: "We are completely devastated by the loss of our friend and brother, Stephen. We have shared such wonderful times together over the years and were all looking forward to sharing many more. Stephen was a beautiful person in both body and spirit. He lit up our lives and those of the many friends he had all over the world. Our love and sympathy go out to Andrew and Stephen's family. We love you and will miss you forever, 'Steo'". They arrived in Port Andratx, Mallorca, on Sunday to pay their respects, and would like to express their gratitude for the many moving messages and tributes that have been paid to Stephen.