Sunday Irish Mirror
RONAN Keating has done well to pull himself through what must have been a very difficult time.
Many young men on the verge of such fame - getting public adulation and earning much more money than they're used to - could easily have gone off the rails when hit with such a personal tragedy.
Ronan has spoken honestly about how he sought refuge in booze when his beloved mum died of breast cancer.
Boyzone was taking the pop scene by storm and young Ronan was coping with fame, extra-long working days and grief, all at the same time.
Like many, he turned to alcohol to deaden the pain and keep him going.
His honesty about this period of his life is to be applauded and may well help others see that it is possible to get through such bad times.
His story confirms the singer as a good role model for young people who will see someone who has hit rock bottom only to fight hard to get his life back on track.
Ronan has a happy marriage and is a doting dad to two young children.
He has resurrected his singing career through sheer persistance and hard work.
He admits he still likes a drink but booze has no hold over him now and he doesn't need it to cope.
He has done well to get through the pain of bereavement and the stress of fame to become the seemingly well-rounded man he now is.
And his frank admission about how it all so nearly went badly wrong is refreshing.
Good luck to him in the future.