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.
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“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.
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“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.”
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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.
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“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
Manchester launches new fund to help support city’s ‘struggling’ grassroots music venues
Emily Sergeant
An important new fund has been launched to help support Manchester’s local grassroots music venues that are ‘struggling’.
Manchester City Council has teamed up with national charity Music Venue Trust (MVT) to launch the fund as a ‘rapid’ and ‘targeted’ intervention to protect the small venues that make Manchester’s music scene and culture world-renowned.
The launch of the new fund comes following reductions to the Retail, Hospitality, and Leisure Business Rates Relief Scheme.
Council and MVT say this new initiative is designed primarily to ‘ease the financial pressure’ caused by Manchester’s grassroots music venues having to transition to these new business rates tariffs.
The fund aims to recognise and highlight the ‘vital’ contribution that grassroots music venues make to Manchester’s economy and to its identity as one of the world’s leading music cities.
This initiative has been made possible through the previously-reported Council revenue generated by live concert arena, stadium, and festival activity during what has been a record-breaking year – particularly summer – for major events throughout the city.
Applications for the fund are now open to venues.
Grant applicants must be able to demonstrate that they are a location in Manchester that has a dedicated live music or performance space, puts on live music at least three times per week or consistently feature it as part of a wider cultural programme, and has an organisational focus on music – with other services being subsidiary or dependent on music activity.
The size of grant awards will be based on a venue’s business rates liabilities – with the maximum amount that can be applied for being £20,000.
Manchester has launched a new fund to help support the city’s ‘struggling’ grassroots music venues / Credit: Rahul Kukreja | Joshua Hanson (via Unsplash)
“We understand the importance of smaller venues, the stages where talent is nurtured and the city’s music begins,” commented Cllr Bev Craig, who is the leader of Manchester City Council, as the new fund was announced this week.
“We also know that across the country, grassroots venues are struggling, and that’s why in Manchester, we’re taking action to ensure that real support reaches our venues quickly.
“This swift delivery is virtually unheard of in the sector, but we are determined to innovate.”
Applications for funding are now live on the Music Venue Trust website and will close on Friday 28 November, and payments will then be made by Saturday 31 January 2026.
Paul Scholes shares touching message over response to quitting punditry to look after his son
Danny Jones
Manchester United legend Paul Scholes recently announced that he has stepped away from football punditry and other media duties to look after his son, Aiden, and he has clearly been touched by the response to his deeply honest interview.
The former United star and England international has three children with his wife, Claire Frogratt, recently revealing that the two have sadly separated.
While his only daughter, Alicia – a thriving young netball player with London Pulse – and eldest son Arron (who runs the family’s self-titled Scholes Gym in Oldham) are both fully grown and in good health, Paul recently opened up about the challenges of looking after his youngest child, who has autism.
Aiden Scholes was diagnosed as autistic when he was just two and is largely non-verbal, meaning there are added difficulties not just when it comes to communicating but overall welfare. Opening in a fairly rare instance on a recent episode of The Overlap, the ex-midfielder is now putting all his focus on care.
As a dad to a young boy with autism, I can’t help but have more respect for Paul Scholes after seeing him open up about his own experiences. Not only does it hit home, his priorities are in order. ❤️ https://t.co/kCjfQye3ef
Speaking with his old Man United teammates, including host Gary Neville and Roy Keane, as well as the rest of the panel, the 50-year-old retired pro and one-time manager turned pundit says that he recently made the conscious decision to put virtually everything else aside to put all of his efforts towards Aiden.
Put simply, he said, “I just decided everything I’m going to do is around Aiden.”
Of course, he went on to explain some of the important “routines” and obstacles in more detail during the sit-down, but even from the brief clip that went viral online, he’s been met with an incredible reaction on social media.
Sharing an update on his Instagram story, he went on to add: “Would just like to thank everyone for all your kind messages since The Overlap interview regarding Aiden – there’s been loads and tried to read as many as possible”, he said.
“The response from families (especially Dads) shows how much speaking about it helps so many… There was one quote from a parent in a similar position that’s just got me…”
The anonymous line he shared read: “My job is to stay alive one day longer than my son/daughter”. Truly tearjerking stuff.
Now 20, the Scholes family are a couple of decades into learning how best to meet Aiden’s additional needs, but Paul has admitted in the past that the climate was different back in the day.
Neville himself said that his long-time friend, teammate, and fellow Class of ’92 graduate has always been a private person and didn’t talk to anyone about anything.
He signed off by urging people to enjoy the little things, like the weekend and having a few drinks – as well as wishing the best of luck to his beloved Salford City FC – but it can’t be overestimated how much his candid words have resonated with people all over the country.
You can see Paul Scholes’ most recent appearance on The Overlap in full down below.
Daisy Jackson -
27th April 2023 
