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Boyzone's touching tribute to their ‘brother’ Stephen Gately

Monday, 19 October 2009

Boyzone members Ronan Keating (front left), Mikey Graham (front right) and Shane Lynch (back right) carry the coffin of Stephen Gately outside St Laurence O'Toole Church in Dublin

More pictures

The tears were not accompanied by young screams and hysteria this time. They were now for sorrow, for a son of Sheriff Street who made it big and was coming home for the last time, too early.

“Farewell Stephen, from ya old friends,” read a banner hanging from a balcony on Seville Place, opposite where Stephen Gately's life was being celebrated in St Laurence O'Toole's Church.

It was the place where he made his communion, the place he was baptised, and now the place where his family and friends bade farewell.

Although fans came from as far afield as South Africa, Taiwan and America to pay their respects, the day was more a local celebration of one of their own than a celebrity funeral. Most of the 1,000 or so who lined Sheriff Street and Seville Place to listen as the service was relayed through loudspeakers were local people.

“At our first meeting with the guards, their first words to us were, ‘He was one of us lads, so don't worry, we'll take care of him’,” said Keith Duffy during the eulogy.

On a glorious autumn day, it was about Stephen and his passions, his love for singing that ultimately brought him success, his friends, family and husband.

Gifts brought up to the altar included a Mickey Mouse doll to show his fondness for all things Disney, a top hat and menu from his wedding to Andrew Cowles, a microphone, moisturiser, a white lily and a card made by the children of the other Boyzone members.

Ronan Keating pays tribute

Musical tributes came from local performer Jo Garland who sang ‘At Last’, Tony Kenny who sang ‘Alleluia’, Boyzone who performed ‘In This Life’ and Ronan Keating who sang ‘Happiness’ on his own.

Keating and Stephen's other band mates, Duffy, Mikey Graham and Shane Lynch, spent the night keeping vigil at the 33-year-old's coffin in the church.

At the funeral, Ronan, Mikey and Keith delivered an emotional, touching eulogy.

With Shane, they stood supporting one another, hand on each other's shoulders as they faced the church, which was decked out with flowers and adorned with pictures of their friend.

Keith Duffy told Stephen's husband that he had “four other brothers now”.

Ronan Keating was the last to speak and was overcome by emotion, breaking down before composing himself to carry on.

“We have lost our brother and I have lost my wingman,” he said, crying. “He will live on in the songs and whenever us four are together, his spirit is alive.”

Fiach Kelly