BBC News Online: Entertainment

Baby girl for Ronan

The star's wife Yvonne gave birth to Marie, three days earlier than expected, at a private Dublin hospital early on Sunday morning.

The baby girl weighed 10lbs and was named after the 24-year-old singer's mother, who died three years ago from breast cancer, at the age of 54.

Nurses at Dublin's Mount Carmel hospital said both mother and child were doing well.

The couple, who already have a two-year-old son, Jack, were thought to have been expecting another boy.

Ronan, now pursuing a successful solo career, and model Yvonne, 27, were said to be delighted at the happy event.

The singer had been in Germany until Saturday, but flew back to Ireland in time for the birth.

In an interview several weeks ago, the singer revealed that they believed they were having another boy.

But he announced his intention to name the baby after his mother, if it was a girl.

He said: "I get upset at the anniversary of her death, or when her birthday comes round, but Yvonne helps me through."

Keating married Yvonne in the Caribbean, in 1998.