Father of Cork City's Ruairi Keating named locally as victim of Mayo crash
It is understood that Mr Keating, who is in his 50s and lived in Westport, was travelling with his wife, Ann Marie, to watch their son, Ruairi (pictured here), play for Cork City in an evening premier league clash with Sligo Rovers. Photo by Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile
CIARAN Keating, the father of Cork City FC footballer Ruairí Keating and a brother of singer Ronan Keating, has been named as the victim of the fatal road traffic collision which occurred on Saturday afternoon in Mayo.
Mr Keating is understood to have been travelling with his wife, Ann Marie, to watch their son play for Cork City in an evening premier league clash with Sligo Rovers when the incident happened.
The two-vehicle collision occurred at around 3.35pm on the N5 at Ballymiles near Swinford.
Mr Keating, aged in his 50s, suffered fatal injuries as a result of the incident.
There were no other fatalities.
In a statement on Sunday, Cork City FC extended the club's deepest sympathies to Ruairí Keating and the entire Keating family.
“All at Cork City FC are deeply saddened at the passing of Ciaran Keating, father of our player Ruairí Keating.
“May he rest in peace,” the club said.
“We ask that the family’s privacy be respected at this difficult time.
“Funeral arrangements will be confirmed in due course,” the statement added.
The League of Ireland also offered its condolences in the wake of the tragic incident.
“The League of Ireland is deeply saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Ruairí Keating’s father Ciaran.
“We would like to send our condolences to Ruairí and his family and all at Cork City FC at this very difficult time,” the football league said in a statement.
A garda spokesperson on Saturday confirmed that gardaí and emergency services attended the scene of a fatal two-vehicle traffic collision in Mayo that day.
“The incident occurred at approximately 3.35pm on the N5 at Ballymiles near Swinford.
“A driver from one these vehicles, a man in his 50s, suffered fatal injuries.
“The driver of the second vehicle (male) was taken to Mayo University Hospital to receive treatment for serious injuries.
“A man and woman, both passengers from each car are also receiving treatment.
“Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening,” the spokesperson continued.
The road was closed for a time to facilitate a technical examination of the scene by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators on Saturday evening.
The coroner for Mayo was notified following the incident, with a garda spokesperson stating on Sunday that a post-mortem would take place in due course.
Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact them.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Swinford Garda Station on (094) 925 2990, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
Ciaran Keating’s death is being widely mourned in his adopted Westport and the wider community.
Christy Hyland, an Independent member of Mayo County Council, commented today: “Our sympathy goes out to all the Keating family. Ciaran’s death is truly shocking”.
Apart from his own family and Ronan, Ciaran is survived by one sister, Linda, and two brothers, Gerard and Gary.
For a time, Ciaran was involved in the licensed pub trade in the village of Lecanvey, about four miles from Westport.
A technical examination of the crash scene and the vehicles involved has been conducted by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators.
The coroner for Mayo has been notified and a post mortem is to take place later.
Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to contact them.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Swinford Garda Station on (094) 925 2990, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
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