DANIELLE O’KEANE, 37: MOTHER-OF-TWO DIES DAYS AFTER WESTLIFE CONCERT RICKSHAW CRASH

A night that was supposed to be filled with music, laughter and precious memories ended in heartbreak for a young mother whose family had been looking forward to their first holiday together.

Danielle O’Keane, 37, from Saval in Newry, County Armagh, has died days after suffering a devastating brain injury in a road crash in Dublin.

The mother of two had travelled to Dublin with three friends to attend a Westlife concert at the 3Arena on Saturday, September 26.

After the concert, the group boarded a motorised rickshaw to travel into Dublin city centre, where Danielle was due to meet her husband, Dave, and the other women’s partners.

But the journey ended in tragedy.

Danielle was rushed to the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, where she remained in intensive care for several days.

She died on Thursday, October 1.

A RARE NIGHT OUT WITH FRIENDS

Danielle’s family said the night had been a rare opportunity for her to go out and enjoy herself.

Her sister-in-law Aisling O’Keane said Danielle and her three friends had enjoyed the Westlife concert before deciding to use a rickshaw to get away from the busy area around the 3Arena.

They were travelling toward the city centre to meet their husbands and partners when the accident happened.

The rickshaw reportedly struck a kerb or divider on North Wall Quay and overturned.

Danielle suffered the most serious injuries and was taken to hospital.

HER FAMILY HELD ON TO HOPE

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

Doctors told her relatives that she had suffered a “life-ending brain injury,” and her family faced an agonising wait as medical specialists carried out further testing.

Her loved ones continued to hope and pray for her recovery.

But on October 1, the family received the news they had been dreading.

Danielle had died.

Her husband Dave later shared the heartbreaking news with friends and family online.

“FULL OF LIFE” AND “HEART OF GOLD”

Those closest to Danielle have remembered her not for the tragedy that ended her life, but for the person she was.

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

Her sister-in-law Aisling described Danielle as loving and selfless, saying her life revolved around her husband and children.

A funeral notice identified Danielle as the much-loved wife of Dave and mother of Caolán and Cillian.

She was also remembered as a beloved daughter, sister and aunt.

HER TWO LITTLE BOYS WERE AT THE CENTRE OF HER WORLD

Danielle leaves behind two young sons, aged just five and two.

Her family had been preparing for what was supposed to be a special milestone — their first family holiday together.

They were due to travel to Mallorca on October 5.

The bags had already been packed.

The family had been looking forward to spending time together and making memories.

Instead, they are now preparing to say goodbye to a wife and mother who had so much more she wanted to experience with her children.

WESTLIFE ALSO REACHED OUT

Danielle’s family had travelled to Dublin that night simply to enjoy the music and have a special evening together.

During the days Danielle remained in hospital, reports said Westlife had been in contact with her family to offer their support.

The concert that had been intended to be a joyful night out has now become a painful memory for everyone who knew her.

GARDAÍ ARE STILL LOOKING FOR ANSWERS

Gardaí are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the crash.

They have appealed to anyone who was travelling near North Wall Quay between 10:30pm and 11:15pm on September 26 and may have witnessed the incident or captured it on dashcam or other camera footage.

Anyone with information is being asked to contact Store Street Garda Station or the Garda Confidential Line.

The investigation remains ongoing.

A FAMILY NOW FACING AN UNIMAGINABLE FAREWELL

A fundraiser created by Danielle’s family has received an enormous response, with more than £100,000 raised within days to help the family through the aftermath of the tragedy. The campaign remains active.

But no amount of money can replace what has been lost.

Danielle was 37.

She was a wife.

She was a mother.

She was a daughter, sister and friend.

And to her two little boys, she was simply Mum.

Her family had packed their bags for Mallorca.

They had a concert to remember.

They had a holiday to look forward to.

They had a life still being lived.

Now, they are left with memories of a woman loved deeply by the people around her.

Danielle O’Keane’s family wants her remembered not for the crash, but for the loving, selfless and energetic woman she was.