The family of Keano Byrne, who was found dead in a Greater Manchester beauty spot this month, have issued a heartbreaking tribute to him – including words from his three-year-old daughter.
Keano, 26, has been described as a ‘happy-go-lucky kind lad’ who was adored by his family.
The tributes shared by his parents through Greater Manchester Police all describe a doting father who ‘spent all his love’ on his young child.
Keano’s family also shared some words from his daughter, the ‘love of his life’, who said: “My eyes are green apples like my mummy, but my daddy has brown apples. My daddy is helping the angels, he loves me, and I love him.”
Keano’s father said: “Keano will always be remembered as a happy-go-lucky kind lad, he was always cheeky growing up with a good heart.
“He was adored by all his family including his two sisters, brother, and his mum but most of all by his three-year-old daughter who was the love of his life.
Keano Byrne. Credit: GMP
“Since she was born, he always had a spring in his step and he was determined to make her life the best it could be, all his love was spent on her.
“He adored her and although his time was short with her, his family and loved ones knew how much she meant to Keano and how much he meant to her.
“He was robbed of life, and he will never see his daughter grow up. We all miss him so much and we will always remember Keano for all joy he brought to our lives.
“Our Keano has been taken from us far too soon and we are now left with a huge hole in all our hearts that will not be filled. I have no doubt Keano’s legacy with go on forever, we all miss you so much Keano.”
Also paying tribute to him, Keano’s mother said: “To the apple of my eye, my son Keano. You kept me going and I will no longer have that spark between us anymore now you are gone.
“You were everything to me, you are my baby boy and always will be. All I ever wanted from you; you gave to me. I will cherish your memory and make sure your little girl is happy and safe.
“I will never forget you and I will love you forever, keep lighting up with the smile of yours. Sleep tight son, love always, Mum.”
And his sisters said: “One minute you’re there, and now your gone. Words could never describe the part that has gone from our hearts.
“We were and always will be proud of the person you became; you fought every obstacle and every distraction that came your way. You were the happiest person and no matter what, you always had that smile on your face.
“We love you and will never ever forget you, see you again someday, our little brother.”
Keano Byrne was tragically found dead in the water at Reddish Vale Country Park on Friday 7 April, weeks after he was reported missing.
A post-mortem examination found the cause of his death to be inconclusive with the investigation continuing.
Keano’s family have asked for privacy while they grieve for their loss.
Featured image: GMP
News
Greater Manchester Mayors deliver update on Salford Red Devils situation
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham revealed details from the minutes of his meeting with the Rugby Football League (RFL) over the August bank holiday, sharing key updates from the crucial sit-down in hopes of securing the future of Salford Red Devils.
The Mayor and his Salford counterpart, Paul Dennett, met with chief executive Tony Sutton and other key RFL figures to discuss the ongoing crisis at Salford Red Devils, who remain on the brink of collapse.
Supporters marched on the streets of 0161’s second city in the immediate aftermath, expressing their dismay at the continuing struggles both behind the scenes and off the pitch, and Burnham was quick to call a meeting with the RFL as a result. The fans have remained in full voice throughout.
Posting a joint statement on social media, the pair wrote: “We would like to take the opportunity to thank the RFL and clubs across the Super League for their ongoing commitment to assist Salford Red Devils in fulfilling all other fixtures and get the club to the end of the season.
“Following that meeting, we have requested a meeting this Friday with the Jacobsen Management Group, the current owners, to discuss our serious concerns over the future of the club.
“The impending HMRC court hearing, the failure to meet tax obligations, the delay in payment of wages, and the lack of financial investment have resulted in a complete loss of confidence in the ownership among fans and the wider Salford and rugby community.”
Stating that “Salford Red Devils [still] face an uncertain future”, leading fan group The 1873 confessed that while it has been seen as a “welcome step”, it nevertheless “felt short of reassurance and commitment we’d hoped for.”
In short, they said: “We will no longer sit back while the club we love is reduced to a shell by those who do not speak to us, do not listen, and do not understand what Salford means.” They also called out the somewhat one foot in, one foot out ownership group and so-called current ‘stewards’ of the club directly.
You can read their response in full down below.
Yesterday’s statement from Andy Burnham & Paul Dennett is a welcome step, but not the one Salford fans wanted.
It felt short of reassurance and commitment we’d hoped for.
The future of the club and community deserves more.
Furthermore, Burnham and Dennett went on to add: “Following discussions between the parties involved, there is clear agreement that Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Salford City Council and the Rugby Football League are resolute in their commitment to safeguard the club.
“We are committed to working together to secure the long-term future of the club, to implement a city-wide rugby strategy, and to honour the generations of players, supporters, and communities who have carried its spirit through more than 150 years of rugby league.”
What about you, Salford Red Devils fans – what did you make of both statements, and how hopeful are you that the storm will clear around the club?
Plans to expand Greater Manchester’s tram network progress after £6m funding boost
Emily Sergeant
Plans for new tram and train connections across Greater Manchester have taken a big step forward after a £6m funding boost.
Last month, Mayor Andy Burnham and local council leaders pledged for 90% of people in Greater Manchester to be within a five-minute walk of a bus or tram that comes at least every 30 minutes by 2030 – and now, plans to deliver this strategy are one step closer to becoming reality thanks to significant investment.
Transport leaders have now confirmed a pipeline of ‘rapid transit’ schemes for the future.
£6 million of funding was signed-off by the Bee Network Committee earlier last week, following plans being discussed by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).
The work is all part of a wider plan, known as the Greater Manchester Strategy, to link every borough in Greater Manchester up the Metrolink network – with a long-term plan for major expansion of the Bee Network.
Plans to expand Greater Manchester’s tram network have progressed after a £6m funding boost / Credit: TfGM
Some of the major projects this £6m funding will pay for advancing planning towards include finalising strategies for extending the Metrolink to Stockport from East Didsbury this autumn, with construction to begin in 2030, and beginning strategy work on the completion of the Metrolink Airport Line ‘Western Leg’ – which would serve a number of ‘key growth areas’ at the Airport, Wythenshawe Hospital, and Davenport Green.
Another important project the funding will go towards is the preparation of the Strategic Outline Case for expanding Metrolink connections to Salford Crescent and Salford Quays, and out to the north west of the region – including potential options for links to Leigh, Wigan, and Bolton.
Work will also continue on plans for an Oldham-Rochdale-Heywood-Bury tram-train route too – with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) says its leaders are aiming for construction on the scheme to begin in 2028.
Mayor Andy Burnham says the funding with help connect all 10 boroughs to the Metrolink / Credit: TfGM
“This latest funding means we can develop the case for a pipeline of both tram and tram-train new lines and extensions – and ultimately underground infrastructure in the city centre – to make sure we get a public transport system befitting the global city region we are.”
Daisy Jackson -
27th April 2023 
