STATEMENT: MORAH RYAN:On behalf of our children (Lottie, Rex, Bonnie, Elliott, Babs), Gerard's brothers Mano and Michael and myself, I wish to say that we are glad that today is now over.
For all those who loved Gerard, the past few months, as for anyone who has lost a loved one, have been very difficult.
Our wish is that Gerard’s memory will be left to our children now, as it should be, for a dad in a million who lived for them.
He lived life to the full, it made him who he was. He loved us and we loved him. We are proud to be his family.
In these difficult times for so many families in our country, we want to take this opportunity to say to anyone under stress, or with pressure or worries of any kind, to reach out for personal support and professional help.
Gerard was a communicator and yet he too struggled.
If today is to mean something, it is to offer encouragement. If it is to have a message it is that there is always someone to share your problem with, someone to offer professional advice and someone to shine light into your life when you need it most. There is always someone to ask. That is the simple message Gerard would have dearly wished from today.
I would like to thank the coroner’s office for their professionalism and sensitivity. I would also like to thank the very many people for their messages of sympathy, prayers and support in the recent months. We are very grateful and take enormous comfort from the fact that Gerard was part of the daily lives of so many people and that, in his own inimitable way, he entertained, listened, helped and gave a voice to so many people.
We will not be making any further comment and would ask that our request for privacy is respected at this time.