Weather: Hi 4°C / Lo 2°C
In Pictures: Hundreds bid farewell at Boyzone star Stephen Gately's funeral
Saturday, 17 October 2009
Ronan Keating, Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham and Shane Lynch carry out the coffin after the funeral of Boyzone singer Stephen Gately at St Laurence O'Toole Church in Dublin
More pictures
Print
Email
Stephen Gately was today remembered in his community as an inspiration to young people and deeply proud of his working-class Dublin roots.
>>Click image to launch gallery
Grieving neighbours from the tough Sheriff Street area of the north inner city stood tearfully at times arm-in-arm during the poignant service.
While famous faces from the music and showbiz worlds rubbed shoulders, Stephen's old friends proudly paid tribute to him as a committed family man with generous spirit.
Paddy Feely, who knew Stephen growing up, described the Boyzone star as a gentleman.
"He was an inspiration to the country, to what young people can achieve Mr Feely said.
"People like Stephen, they had nothing but they achieved an awful lot.
"Did anybody ever think that a young guy from the inner-city would reach headlines on the world's TV and radio?
"But he never forgot where he came from."
Alan Hunter, who staged fundraising discos in the area, said he knew Stephen as a teenager.
"Before he became a popstar he wanted to be a dancer. That was his love," Mr Hunter, 50, said.
"He had terrific sprit and there isn't a family around here that Stephen wouldn't have given a signed portrait to."
The grieving crowd, clutching white roses, burst into spontaneous applause after Boyzone band members paid tribute at the end of the emotional Funeral mass.
They scrambled up lampposts, hung out of windows and perched precariously on traffic cones to get a better view of the church, and their hero's final journey.
One young girl, balanced on top of a wheelie bin, held a purple pillow case aloft with the words "RIP, Stephen we love you" emblazoned across it.
Farewell banners were also hung from nearby balconies.
Annette Kane, 53, from Donabate in north Dublin, stood by security railings clutching a postcard caricature of Stephen her daughter had bought at a concert.
A family friend of fellow Boyzone star Shane Lynch, she met Stephen many times.
"He was an absolute pet. He had time for everybody," Ms Kane said.
"No matter where we went he never forgot where he came from. He was just so down to earth.
Ronan Keating pays tribute
"Thank God he lived to see them (Boyzone) reunite. He always wanted Boyzone to get back together."
As the coffin was carried from the church fans burst into another round of applause throwing white roses onto the ground.
For many the emotion of the last week was just too much, with some questioning whether the famed band, reunited just two years ago, could now go on.
Carol Mulholland, 20, from Lucan, said Boyzone will never be the same.
"The songs that they sang, they just got you through the bad times and they made the good times better.
"Whatever song they sang they just got you," she said.
"I'd love them to go on because they are just such a big part of me and who I am."
Mr Hunter described Stephen as a true Dubliner, with a generous spirit.
"He loved everyone, remembered everyone, never ignored everyone and so generous a spirit. He would always come round here with concert tickets.
"Most pop stars when they make it big, they sort of buy a big ranch out of town for the family. But this family stayed in the community, and they were proud to be here."
Post a comment
Limit: 500 characters
View all comments that have been posted about this article
Offensive or abusive comments will be removed and your IP address logged and may be used to prevent further submissions. In submitting a comment to the site, you agree to be bound by BelfastTelegraph.co.uk's Terms of Use.
Posts submitted in UPPERCASE letters will be rejected.
i am really sorry 2era bwt stephen gateley's death i lvu stephen
Posted by tasha | 21.10.09, 10:45 GMT
i love boyzone, always have. stephen had an amazing voice that cant be replaced. i still cant believe that he is gone, but he will not be forgotten x
Posted by a.leverton | 21.10.09, 10:08 GMT
R.I.P Stephen, you will be sadly missed. Boyzone will never be the same without you. You were the best, i love you forever, you will never be forgotten, always in our hearts, forever young. Thoughts are with your husband, family & friends. God bless, love you always, Paula xxxxxxxx
Posted by Paula | 20.10.09, 18:35 GMT
Apologies for a spelling mistake in a previous comment, of the word "hashisher", not "hashishin." Could you edit?Apologies again.
Posted by P. Gatley | 20.10.09, 01:21 GMT
one of the best bands around it wont be the same with out him r,i,p steven i was at the funeral in glasnevin and was in the church yard i seen the rest of the band they were devasted with grief my depest sympety goes to the family espesily his father and mother who would ever think that they would burie there child in front of them we love you steven
Posted by mary | 19.10.09, 00:07 GMT
I am absolutely gutted, I have fond memories as a teenager at the concerts. Ronan was right it wont be the same without Stephen.
Posted by LBMCG | 18.10.09, 22:28 GMT
Stephen ar dheis De go raibh anam!
I wonder if an investigation has been made into the meaning of the term "Hashishin" and it's possible association to a player in this tragedy?The "Gately" motto is, "Hitherto unconquered"and Stephen's spirit will eternally attest to that, for in accordance to the ancient Brehon Sacred Tree Law, Stephen's 2 trees of the soul were,"Willow"(female side of the soul) musical, dancing gifts, gentleness and Yew (male side of the soul) reincarnated warrior everlasting. Brehon Law states,"Cead airlimn noevirec, fube salech!" (an assassin shares liability with his sect in the undermining of the sacred Willow.) "Inonn cumbe cuilinn!"(the same penalty as cutting the Holy Tree of Jesus.) May Stephen truly rest in the arms of Mary and may he return to us through rebirth, within his mighty clan. Victory will rest in the publishing and screenplay of his wonderful book. May it be so! Stephen truly was a St. Patrick's Day blessing upon us!
Posted by Pegan Gatley | 18.10.09, 18:27 GMT
Rip steven. you where a legend, me and my sister always said you where the wee cute one in the band:) you are sadly missed by loads of people. Never Forgotten, Forever young. Sleep tight angel lots of love xox
Posted by Chloe | 18.10.09, 17:19 GMT
hi i think he was a fab man/he didnt need all the bad attension he never done anything to any one else
but he will onlyways live on in my books /it was a short life taken away at 33 but his mum and friends should be very prowed off him love sonia
Posted by sonia fish | 18.10.09, 16:59 GMT
Everytime i hear Ronans speech i cry, it's so touching, it's not fair Stephen got taken away from us at such a young age.
He had a voice of an angel and now he is an angel...
R.I.P Stephen,, we will miss you x x x
Posted by Amy | 17.10.09, 15:18 GMT
Very sad, I found the devotion of his fellow Boyzone bandmates particularly touching.
Posted by T J McClean | 17.10.09, 14:05 GMT
ronan words at stephens funeral were very moving and i cried.
Posted by clive forster | 17.10.09, 13:47 GMT