PALMA
THE four remaining members of Boyzone flew back to Majorca yesterday morning to accompany the body of Stephen Gately back to Ireland where he is to be buried today.
Gately died of natural causes at his holiday home in Andratx last Saturday after a night out in Palma and thousands of people are expected to turn out at midday for the funeral in the centre of Dublin.
Before leaving Majorca, Ronan Keating stood arm in arm with Mikey Graham, Shane Lynch and Keith Duffy and said they were truly overwhelmed at the support they have received in the last week. It was the first time they have spoken publicly since the 33-year-old singer's death. Last Saturday our world changed forever when we lost our friend and brother Stephen. We have come to Majorca today to accompany our pal on his final journey back to Dublin, where we know he will be given an unforgettable send off, Keating said. Stephen and Andrew (Gately's partner Andrew Cowles) had chosen to make Majorca their second home and we know that Stephen loved the times they spent together here, Ronan said. The countless messages of love and support we have received this week have truly overwhelmed ourselves and the Gately family. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for each and every one of them. He went on to say that the future of the band was too hard to think about as nothing would be the same without our dearest friend. As the band stood through Keating's tribute, a tattoo of the number 76 09 could be seen on his right arm. The numbers are said to correspond to the years Gately was born and died and each band member has apparently had the same tattoo done as a mark of respect.
The devastated group arrived in Dublin Airport yesterday afternoon as family, close friends and heartbroken parents, Martin and Margaret, prepared to pay their respects at a private mass yesterday evening.