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.
ADVERTISEMENT
“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.
ADVERTISEMENT
“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.”
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
“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
‘Stunning’ Old Rectory pub in Stockport suffers permanent closure
Danny Jones
One of Stockport town centre’s most beautiful pub venues, The Old Rectory, has officially closed down permanently following notices about its “final stages”.
Built circa 1740, the historic space itself has been there since before the Regency period.
Stockport‘s Old Rectory pub on Churchgate has been a number of different things over the decades, and has changed hands multiple times in more recent years, but now the Greene King site has shut down, what seems like, for good.
In fact, if you look online, it is already listed as ‘permanently closed’ on Google, as does a temporary sign now stuck to the gates of their entrance, with the most recent service last week being their final one.
With the news having since been shared on the Stockport Tourism notice board on Facebook, a post from the ‘Old Rec’ team reads: “We are sad to announce that The Old Rectory will be closing its doors at the end of this month. Thank you to everyone who has visited and supported the venue over the years.”
An update has also now been shared on the official CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) website.
Issuing a statement directly to The Manc, a spokesperson for Greene King said: “Following a period of team member consultation, we can confirm that the Old Rectory has now closed.
“We are grateful to everyone who has supported the Old Rectory over the years, and we look forward to welcoming them into our other pubs in the local area soon.”
They also go on to assure that they have worked with the team members who have sadly been put out of work to try and find new positions at other locations, with the operators urging Stopfordians to try other nearby pubs such as Gardeners Arms in Offerton and the recently refurbished Carousel in Reddish.
Described by CAMRA as a “multi-roomed pub-restaurant that still maintains a country house feel with plenty of dark wood and plush décor”, not to mention praising the all-day food service and “top notch” beer selection, its heyday may have been long ago, but it’ll still be missed by regulars and natives.
It’s also worth noting that the former Hungry Horse public house also long-served as an accommodation spot, too, with Premier Inn’s ‘Stockport Central Hotel’ attached to the back of the building.
There are no updates on this front at present, and they could easily repurpose what natives have hailed as a “stunning” Georgian structure – not to mention the expansive garden grounds – but the company is also currently cutting more than 3,800 jobs as part of a wider savings strategy.
Elsewhere, as SK residents bid goodbye to one veteran pub, they’re also gearing up to welcome back another former favourite…
Sacha Lord set to back local hospitality again with money behind the bar of Manchester pub
Danny Jones
Local figure Sacha Lord is once again looking to help support Greater Manchester’s food and drink scene once again this spring by putting a total of £2.5k behind the bar of one lucky pub.
Well, let’s be honest, we’re about to be the real lucky ones.
It’s far from the first time that the Night Time Economy Advisor has done this, having previously put sizeable sums towards shared tabs on a few occasions over the last few years.
Lining up his next handout for this coming early May bank holiday (perfect timing), it’s going to be a super and potentially very sloppy Sunday…
Tell me your favourite pub in Greater Manchester.
Bank Holiday Sunday 3rd May, I’ll be turning up and putting £2500 behind the bar.
Sharing the video above online earlier this week, the 54-year-old simply wrote, “Tell me your favourite pub in Greater Manchester. Bank Holiday Sunday, 3rd May, I’ll be turning up and putting £2500 behind the bar.”
The message is as straightforward as ever: “Support your local pub.”
Now obviously, the fact that people can reply with their go-to boozers and help influence the decision is one thing – something that has certainly always created an attraction each time he’s done this – but it’s also just a good way of marketing these watering holes to begin with.
Whether or not someone’s favourite public house tucked away in one of the 10 boroughs, or their bar of choice here in Manchester city centre, ends up being selected or not, it’s obviously great publicity having their names plastered on a notable social media account.
This is especially so when you see how much the post itself ends up being reshared and the overall exposure Lord ultimately lends them via creating such a big crowd discussion.
Confirming the chosen pub in a subsequent post, he said: “I asked you to choose a pub you wanted me to support. This Sunday, 4pm, I’ll be turning up at The Ape and Apple on John Dalton St, Manchester, and putting £2500 behind the bar.”
Here’s hoping we get proper beer garden weather over that long weekend – especially with that lovely refurbished outdoor terrace space up on the first floor of the Joseph Holt watering hole.
It’s also worth noting that the further support stunts like this have helped garner support for other regional businesses – in particular, indies that are battling the cost of living crisis and so many other challenges within the sector – has proved crucial for some places to stay open to begin with.
A good example is the Thirsty Korean, who teamed up with the Altrincham-born entrepreneur to cover hundreds of bills back in 2023, and has now been able to expand into a larger venue down the road from their original Chorlton location.
The obstacles facing the hospitality industry remain varied and numerous, but gestures like this can go a long way to helping prop up those who need it.
Which ones are you calling your favourites these days?
Daisy Jackson -
27th April 2023 
