Dublin remembers Gately

Singer Stephen Gately was today remembered in his home city as a much-loved hero and role model who achieved superstardom against the odds.

Grieving family friends living close to his former home in the tough Dublin working class area of Sheriff Street paid glowing tributes to the talented Boyzone performer.

One of his former teachers classed him as a cool, clean hero, while the city's Lord Mayor said his achievements had raised the spirits of a community blighted by drug problems and high unemployment.

"We had a superstar in our midst, it was really wonderful. His success really lifted the whole community," Emer Costello said.

"He was a real success story and a very positive role model that people could look to.

"It was wonderful that somebody from that community, because it really was probably against the odds, that he achieved such success.

"He was just a lovely fella, with a lovely gentle manner."

Distraught friends and old neighbours painted a picture of a young boy always interested in music, showing off his talents on the dancefloors of local discos around the area.

He was a much-loved figure and one whose achievements made the close-knit community deeply proud - even winning the hearts of the local girls with his boyish good looks.

His ex-teacher David Bailey said Stephen had shown a keen interest in singing during his days in St Laurence O'Toole National School.

"I just remember him as a good kid. We did a lot of singing in the class, though he wouldn't have stood out as being extraordinary or brilliant. But I definitely say he would have enjoyed the singing," Mr Bailey said.

"He made it out of Sheriff street when a lot didn't.

"He would be an inspiration. They would have great regard for him."

Mr Bailey, who taught him when he was aged 11, said he never gave any trouble in class.

Although his grieving parents Margaret and Martin live in a retirement home, tearful neighbours gathered in leafy Canon Lillis Avenue, just off Sheriff Street, where the family home once was, to mourn the loss.

It is the second tragedy to hit the family in recent years, after his father fell off a ladder while painting, suffering severe head injuries.

It is understood Stephen returned to the area just weeks ago and took his mother out for dinner to celebrate her 60th birthday.

Neighbour Margaret Costello, 75, recounted that after he made it big, adoring female fans would traipse around the quiet residential streets hoping to catch a glimpse of their idol.

Fighting tears, she remembered how she once directed a besotted young English tourist to the Gately family home within minutes of her arriving in Dublin.

"I had people knocking on the door one Sunday morning at 9am, they had just got off the boat. Came from Liverpool, a woman and her daughter and the daughter wanted to know where did Stephen Gately live.

"All she wanted to do was take a photograph of the house.

"He was a lovely fella. There is nothing bad you could say about him. A loveable chap. We're all in shock around here, we really are."

Just streets away, upset parishioners paid tribute to the young star following morning mass in which prayers were offered for the grieving Gately family.

They huddled together in a small group outside St Laurence O'Toole church, swapping stories about the young singer before he achieved world-wide success.

Nicolas Fay, a former classmate at St Laurence O'Toole National School, recounted how the young Stephen vowed in the classroom he would go places.

"He was quiet, a nice bloke, a nice young fella. I got on well with him," Mr Fay, 33, said.

"He always turned around and said to the teacher I'm going to make myself out to be something. So we knew he was going to be famous."

Local councillor Aodhan O Riordain said he had brought pride to the inner city community.

"He brought honour and pride to the community of the North Wall and I extend my deepest sympathies to his family and neighbours who I know were very proud of him," he said.

Stephen is survived by his parents Martin and Margaret, sister Michelle and brothers Tony, Alan and Mark.