DANIELLE O’KEANE: YOUNG MOTHER DIES DAYS AFTER RICKSHAW CRASH FOLLOWING WESTLIFE CONCERT

A night that was supposed to be filled with music, laughter and a rare evening out ended in heartbreaking tragedy for a young mother from Newry.

Danielle O’Keane, 37, has died after suffering a devastating brain injury in a road crash in Dublin while returning from a Westlife concert.

The mother of two had travelled from Newry, County Armagh, to Dublin with friends to enjoy the concert at the 3Arena on Saturday, September 26.

She was on her way into Dublin city centre to meet her husband, Dave, when the tragedy happened.

Danielle was taken to the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, where she spent several days in intensive care.

She died on Thursday, October 1, surrounded by her family.

A NIGHT OUT THAT WAS MEANT TO BE SPECIAL

Danielle had been enjoying what relatives described as a rare opportunity to go out and relax with friends.

She attended the Westlife concert with three friends, and afterward the group decided to travel into the city centre in a motorised rickshaw.

Her sister-in-law Aisling O’Keane told Newstalk that the friends had enjoyed the concert and were making their way to meet Danielle’s husband and the other partners.

But shortly after 11pm, the journey took a devastating turn.

The rickshaw was involved in a collision on North Wall Quay. Gardaí said a woman in her 30s was seriously injured and taken by ambulance to hospital.

Danielle was the person who suffered the most serious injuries.

DANIELLE FOUGHT FOR DAYS

In the days following the crash, Danielle remained in intensive care on a ventilator.

Her family were told that she had suffered a catastrophic, life-ending brain injury, leaving loved ones facing an unbearable wait.

Despite treatment and the efforts of medical staff, Danielle ultimately lost her fight for life.

Her death has now prompted an outpouring of tributes from relatives, friends and members of the community.

The family had been holding onto hope while Danielle remained in hospital.

SHE HAD SO MUCH TO LOOK FORWARD TO

Perhaps one of the most heartbreaking details to emerge is that Danielle and her family were preparing for their first holiday together.

Her bags had already been packed for a planned trip to Mallorca with her husband and their two young boys.

The family were due to leave in early October.

Instead, they are now preparing to say goodbye to a wife and mother who relatives say devoted her life to her family.

A family member described Danielle as loving, selfless and full of life.

Her two sons, Caolán and Cillian, were at the centre of her world.

“FULL OF LIFE” — TRIBUTES POUR IN

Friends have remembered Danielle as a warm and caring person who brought energy and kindness into the lives of those around her.

Her brother-in-law Derek previously described her as someone with a “heart of gold,” saying she was full of life and energy.

Other friends have shared messages remembering her as an amazing woman who will be deeply missed.

A funeral notice described Danielle as the much-loved wife of Dave and mother of Caolán and Cillian, as well as a beloved daughter, sister and friend.

GARDAÍ CONTINUE TO INVESTIGATE

Gardaí are continuing to investigate exactly what happened on North Wall Quay.

They have appealed to motorists, cyclists and other road users who were in the area between approximately 10:30pm and 11:15pm on September 26.

Anyone who may have dashcam or other camera footage has been asked to contact investigators.

Gardaí are particularly interested in footage that could help establish the sequence of events surrounding the collision.

WESTLIFE REMEMBER DANIELLE

The tragedy has also reached the band whose concert Danielle had attended that night.

Westlife reportedly contacted Danielle’s family while she remained in hospital to offer their support.

The band later paid tribute to Danielle during a performance in Newcastle, dedicating a song to the woman whose night at their concert ended in tragedy.

For Danielle’s family, however, she was never simply a name connected to a tragic story.

She was a wife.

She was a mother.

She was a daughter, sister, friend and someone who had been looking forward to making memories with the people she loved most.

Her family had packed their bags for a holiday.

Instead, they are now facing a farewell.

Danielle O’Keane was only 37.

And those who loved her say she had so much more life left to live.