Ronan Keating reflects on ‘hardest time’ since brother’s tragic death as he flees to South Africa to ‘heal’ with family-Emily Bashforth-Entertainment – Metro

Ronan Keating has reflected on the loss of his brother five weeks ago (Picture: Instagram)

Ronan Keating has shared an emotional message following the death of his beloved brother.

The Irish star referred to the past few weeks as ‘the hardest time’ for his family after Ciarán was killed in a car crash on July 15 while on his way to watch his son, Ruairí, play for Cork City FC against Sligo Rovers FC.

Cork City FC released a statement on social media at the time, offering their condolences to his loved ones.

‘All at Cork City FC are deeply saddened at the passing of Ciaran Keating, father of our player Ruairí Keating,’ their message read.

‘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 privacy be respected at this difficult time. Funeral arrangements will be confirmed in due course.’

His funeral was then held on July 20 at St Patrick’s Church in Louisburgh, Co Mayo, with Ronan’s fellow Boyzone members in attendance to support their grieving bandmate.

While Ronan has made a few public appearances since the tragic and sudden loss of his brother, he has now issued a proper statement for the first time.

Taking to Instagram, the musician shared a series of sweet snaps of his family on safari and taking in the sights in South Africa, where he has fled to ‘heal.’

His caption read: ‘Hey Everyone. Just wanted to say thank you for the love and respect you have shown my family over the last 5 weeks.

‘It has been the hardest time for us all, and everyone is trying to manage a life now without our brother (very hard to even type that 💔).

‘Thank you for all your messages of support and also respecting our privacy during this time. There is no more fitting a place to heal, than in South Africa surrounded by Mother Nature and great people and our little bundles of joy Cooper and Coco, have kept us going constantly. Thank you god.’

‘Back to work for me in another part of the world I love now… it all seems rather difficult to make sense of but trying my best’, he added.

Ronan signed off: ‘Take care of each other and from Storm, myself and all my family, thank you.’

The Love Me For A Reason hitmaker was inundated with messages of support in the comments.

‘All my love to you all at this difficult time ❤️’, one fan commented.

‘Thinking of you all during this difficult time no words will ease your pain and sadness, cherish the memories. Xx’, penned another.

The last time Ronan – who shares two children with wife Storm, 41, and has three kids with ex-wife Yvonne Connolly, 49 – spoke about his brother was on stage.

While performing at Uptown Festival on July 30, the star dedicated a song to Ciarán.

The Life Is A Rollercoaster vocalist told the crowd: ‘Didn’t know if I was going to be here tonight or not.

‘It’s been quite a time for our family, so thank you so much for giving me this moment. We’ll get through this together.’

Ronan later belted out his classic If Tomorrow Never Comes and ended the performance by blowing a kiss to the sky.

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