STUNNED pals of Gerry Ryan have urged his fans not to let revelations of his cocaine use tarnish his memory.

Lifelong friend Gerald Kean said he was left reeling by the revelations, insisting he had no idea of Gerry's cocaine past.

"My immediate reaction is that no matter what the finding of the inquest was, Gerry was an absolutely wonderful man, friend and father," the celebrity lawyer told the Herald today.

"I just have nothing bad to say about him. It shouldn't affect people's perception of him. It certainly won't affect mine."

Today FM broadcaster Ian Dempsey has urged people to forget that cocaine was likely to have caused the death of the broadcaster and remember him for his talent instead.

“I mean it’s very sad,” he told the Herald. “I’d like to see the guy rest in peace, it’s very difficult for his family and close friends. “It’s a pity that something like this has to overshadow what he achieved during his life. I don’t think it’s of any benefit to anyone. “He was a great broadcaster, I think that’s what people will remember,” he added.

BLOW

The Herald has learned that a criminal investigation into who exactly supplied Ryan with the illegal drug is “unlikely”. Meanwhile, veteran broadcaster Gay Byrne said that the inquest was a ‘double blow’ for the Ryan family. “I just think it’s all very sad. “I feel very sorry for them that they’re living through this agony now twice. It’s terrible for them. I’m very sad about the whole thing,” he added.

Celebrity chef Derry Clarke paid tribute to the late broadcaster in the wake of yesterday's inquest findings, insisting that he will always remember the star in the fondest of terms. “For me I never saw Gerry in that side of things,” he told the Herald. “You know, I’m not going to cast judgment on people’s lifestyles. It’s up to them how they live. I think he lived a good life and he was a good man. “On an overall level, he should be remembered for the good he did on radio. “I know he is still missed and people in the country are still feeling his loss.

I think he made a great contribution to society and that’s what matters, none of the rest of it.” Gerry’s high-profile colleagues are said to have been left devastated by the findings, with many of them still in shock over the revelation that his untimely death was likely caused by mixing the illegal substance with alcohol.

Meanwhile, a source has told the Herald that a criminal investigation like the one which was carried out after the tragic death of model Katy French was “unlikely” because of the different circumstances surrounding their deaths. “The main difference between Gerry’s death and that of Katy French, is that Gerry was alone in his apartment when he passed away and Katy French was not alone when she collapsed,” the source said. “There was no trace of cocaine found in Mr Ryan’s apartment during the course of the investigation and it comes as a surprise to hear that there were traces of it in his system at the time of his death.

TRIGGERED

“He must have taken the drug earlier on the night of his death and the likelihood of finding his supplier would be remote. “It must be remembered that Gerry did not die of an overdose but the consumption of cocaine had triggered problems in his already vulnerable heart.”

‘It doesn’t change my view of him’

LONG-TIME friend Gerald Kean said today he was stunned about the cocaine revelation – but says it doesn’t change his view of him.

“I certainly wasn’t aware of it at all (his use of cocaine),” Gerald said. “As I said I’m very shocked to hear that,” the celebrity lawyer told the Herald. “He was just a tremendously good character and certainly a wonderful father to his five children. They’re the ones who need to take priority now. “He loved them so much.

I remember himself and Rex coming over to Manchester with me to watch a football game and we had a great day. “No matter what it was I asked of him, whether it was to help out with a charity event or otherwise, he was always there.”

‘He was a very good pal to me’

TODAY FM broadcaster Ian Dempsey said today he still misses the legendary broadcaster’s presence on the airwaves. “I wasn’t a very close personal friend of his, but he was a very good friend to me all through the years,” Ian said. “I’m missing him. There’s a big vacancy there. I’ve met a lot of taxi drivers and people who want to share their loss and tell me they miss him on the radio.”

Gerry’s former 2fm colleague Nikki Hayes also revealed how she was stunned when she learned that her one-time mentor had taken the drug. The Spin 1038 DJ said: “I was certainly shocked when I heard the news about his inquest on the radio, but I think he should just be left to rest in peace now.”

‘People still feel his loss’

CELEBRITY chef Derry Clarke has paid tribute to late broadcaster Gerry Ryan in the wake of yesterday’s inquest findings, insisting he will always remember the star in the fondest of terms. Derry, who is the proprietor of upmarket restaurant L’Ecrivain, says he knew Gerry only in a social capacity, but that that he always had plenty of time for the 2fm presenter.

And the popular chef, who contributes to a number of RTE programmes, said that his opinion of the father-of-five hasn’t changed . “I know he is still missed, and that people in the country are still feeling his loss,” said Derry. “I think he made a great contribution to society and that’s what matters, none of the rest of it,” he added.

hnews@herald.ie

- Lorna Nolan