Tests today on Gately's body

A POSTMORTEM is to be carried out today on the body of Boyzone singer Stephen Gately who died on the Spanish island of Majorca at the weekend.

The examination is to take place at the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Palma and the Gately family is hopeful that, once the cause of his death is established, his body can be returned to Dublin for burial by the end of this week.

Gately (33) was discovered dead on Saturday afternoon at an apartment he shared with his partner, Andy Cowles, near the resort of Port Andratx. Police investigating his death said there were no indications of suspicious circumstances.

The Gately family described his death as a “tragic accident” and ruled out it being a suicide. They stressed that neither drugs nor foul play were involved.

Solicitor Gerald Kean, on behalf of the singer’s family, said media reports claiming Gately had been binge-drinking for up to eight hours before his death were not true.“Wherever that is coming from, our information would suggest it is simply wrong.”

Mr Kean said a family member spoke to Gately at 12.30am Spanish time on Saturday and that he was in very good form. At the time, Gately was preparing to travel with Mr Cowles to a nightclub in Palma, about one hour from his apartment.

It is understood he spent several hours socialising at the Black Cat nightclub and returned to his apartment before 6am.

“We are not saying he was not drinking but eight hours is not something we accept,” Mr Kean said. “He was a very sensible man. He enjoyed himself, he loved life. I was with him many a night and, if anything, late into nights he would look as if he had just arrived.”

The other members of Boyzone – Shane Lynch, Ronan Keating, Mikey Graham and Keith Duffy – arrived in Majorca on Sunday night. The bandmates spent time at Gately’s apartment and met Mr Cowles.

Mr Kean said claims a man who returned to the apartment with Gately and Mr Cowles on Saturday morning was sought by police in connection with Gately’s death were “fundamentally incorrect”.