Emotional scenes as Gately's body returns home

Boyzone’s Stephen Gately was given an emotional homecoming tonight as the pop star made his final journey back to his working-class roots.

Heartbroken parents Margaret and Martin joined the singer’s four devastated bandmates and manager Louis Walsh to pay respects at a private prayer vigil and wake in Dublin’s north inner city.

About 300 local people and fans lined streets near St Laurence O’Toole Church paying their own tribute to the West End star with a gentle applause.

Local resident Bernadette Manly said they had come out in support of Gately’s parents, brothers Mark, Alan and Tony and devoted sister Michelle.

“You couldn’t get better people,” said Mrs Manly.

The grief-stricken Boyzone members paid tribute to Gately and their fans as they brought his remains home from 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 received in the week since he died.

“The countless messages of love and support we have received this week have truly overwhelmed ourselves and the Gately family,” he said.

“We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for each and every one of them.”

It was the first time they have spoken publicly since the 33-year-old singer was found dead in his apartment last Saturday on the Spanish holiday island.

Keating and Lynch arrived with their wives ahead of Duffy and Graham to console the family as Gately’s brother Mark hugged and comforted his mother.

Gately was flown home on a private plane with the remaining Boyzone members and the West End star’s civil partner Andrew Cowles – who was greeted at the funeral home with a huge round of applause.

The weary looking bandmates have had discreet tattoos in honour of Gately, with the tribute “76 09” clearly etched on Keating’s upper arm and Lynch’s hand.

The four will then perform at the Mass, which scores of local residents were invited to attend.

Fans from as far away as Taiwan travelled to the city for the funeral Mass tomorrow at midday.

Gerry Fay, of North Wall Residents Association, said everyone in the area was still in disbelief.

“When Stephen came home he was just Stephen, there was no big deal,” said Mr Fay.

“He wasn’t the Stephen they all talk about, he was just an ordinary person.”

Wendy Lee, from Taiwan, travelled 7,875 miles for 24 hours to reach her idol’s hometown.

“I want to say my final goodbye,” said Miss Lee with tears in her eyes.

The 26-year-old, who says she has not eaten or slept since she heard the news, added: “Stephen was my favourite. I don’t know why – he was just so lovely.”

A funeral party catering for 450 invited guests will be held in the exclusive Four Seasons Hotel, Ballsbridge, on Saturday evening.

The band’s manager Louis Walsh has said family, friends and loved ones must celebrate Gately’s life.

The singer’s body was brought to Jennings Funeral Directors in the Coolock area before being taken to Seville Place – a stone’s throw from where the singer played as a youngster.

Old friends and neighbours stunned at the singer’s sudden death, have spent several days cleaning the nearby church, its grounds and surrounding area to make the terrace streets shine for the return of their son.

Reading a statement and flanked by his bandmates before the band left Majorca, Keating said their world had changed forever with Stephen’s death.

“Stephen lived to perform and truly loved being centre stage,” he said.

“You can be sure he’s looking down on us now wishing we’d move over so he could flash his smile for the cameras one more time.

“What the future holds for the four of us now is too hard to even think about. But we know that nothing will ever be the same without our dearest friend, Stephen... rest in peace, brother.”

Gately, 33, was found dead on the sofa in his apartment in Port Andratx after a night out with Mr Cowles and friend Georgi Dochev.

A post-mortem examination found he died from natural causes, the medical report recording pulmonary oedema or fluid on the lungs.

Mr Dochev, who found the star’s body, said he still does not know if he will attend Gately’s funeral.

The 25-year-old, who had been friends with the singer since last summer, said his death has left him unstable.

“What happened that night is what happened. We know the autopsy results. He died a natural death,” said Mr Dochev.

He said he has been comforting Mr Cowles during the week and admitted he has been nervous and stressed since the star’s untimely death.

“I’m really scared of falling asleep now in case I don’t wake up,” he added.

Gately’s partner has asked that mourners make a donation to the Caudwell Children Charity, of which the pop star was an ambassador, instead of sending flowers.

Irish boyband Westlife once again paid tribute to Gately tonight.

“We are here today as friends of Stephen, not as popstars,” the band said in a statement.

“Thank you to the media for respecting that. Stephen Gately played a big part in our story.

“We watched him on TV in our early teens. We met him as fans when Westlife first got together and supported Boyzone. We got to know him as a friend over the many times our paths crossed and he would always have that same smile for us any time we bumped into him.

“It’s a shame that today we have to say goodbye to him like this. Our love and support goes out to Andy and the rest of Stephen’s family. Also to Keith, Mickey, Ronan and Shane, who have lost their best friend.

“Our deepest sympathies go out to them all. We trust they will be left to grieve in peace.”