“SHE HAD SO MUCH TO LOOK FORWARD TO” — MOTHER-OF-TWO DANIELLE O’KEANE DIES AFTER RICKSHAW CRASH FOLLOWING WESTLIFE CONCERT

Danielle O’Keane, 37, had just enjoyed a night out with friends to see Westlife in Dublin. She was on her way to meet her husband when a short journey ended in tragedy.

A 37-year-old mother of two has died days after suffering catastrophic injuries in a rickshaw crash in Dublin — leaving behind a devastated husband, two young sons and a family who had been looking forward to their first holiday together.

Danielle O’Keane, from Saval in Newry, County Armagh, had travelled to Dublin with three friends on Saturday, September 26, to see Westlife perform at the 3Arena.

It was meant to be a night of music, friendship and celebration.

Instead, Danielle never made it to the meeting point where her husband and their friends were waiting.

She died in hospital on Thursday, October 1, after spending several days receiving intensive medical treatment.

A NIGHT THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE SPECIAL

Danielle had gone to the Westlife concert with three friends.

After the show, the group decided to travel by rickshaw from the 3Arena towards Dublin city centre, where they planned to meet their husbands and partners.

According to Danielle’s family, the journey was expected to take only a few minutes.

But at around 11 p.m., the rickshaw crashed on North Wall Quay.

Gardaí later appealed for witnesses and anyone who may have footage from the area between approximately 10:30 p.m. and 11:15 p.m. that night.

DANIELLE SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC BRAIN INJURY

Danielle was taken by ambulance to Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, where she was treated for extremely serious injuries.

She spent days in intensive care and was placed on a ventilator.

Her family later described the injury as life-ending, and relatives remained by her side as doctors cared for her.

Despite the efforts of medical staff, Danielle died on October 1.

Her death notice described her as the much-loved wife of Dave O’Keane and the devoted mother of Caolán and Cillian.

“HER LIFE WAS ABOUT HER KIDS AND HER HUSBAND”

Danielle’s sister-in-law Aisling O’Keane spoke publicly about the family’s heartbreak while Danielle was still in hospital.

She remembered Danielle as a loving and selfless person who devoted herself to her husband and children.

The family had also been preparing for a holiday in Mallorca.

Danielle had packed her suitcases for the trip, which was due to take place only days after the concert.

That small detail has made the tragedy even more painful for those closest to her.

One of the last messages Aisling received from Danielle was a photograph of those packed suitcases.

She had been preparing for a family holiday.

Instead, her family was left waiting at her hospital bedside.

TWO LITTLE BOYS HAVE LOST THEIR MUM

Danielle’s sons, Caolán and Cillian, were just five and two years old.

Her family has spoken about how difficult it has been for the children to understand that their mother is not coming home.

Her sister-in-law said the younger boy repeatedly asked where his mother was.

For the family, the contrast is almost impossible to comprehend: only hours earlier, Danielle had been enjoying a concert with friends, and she had been looking ahead to a holiday with the people she loved.

Now, her two boys are growing up without her.

A FAMILY’S HEARTBREAK

Danielle’s funeral notice described her as a beloved daughter of Michael and Pauline Mullan, a sister to Barry and her twin brother Sean, and a much-loved member of a large extended family.

Tributes have described her as someone with a warm personality and a “heart of gold.”

A GoFundMe appeal was also established to support her family following the tragedy, drawing a major response from members of the public.

WESTLIFE REMEMBER DANIELLE

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

Westlife paid tribute to Danielle during their Newcastle performance on October 3.

The band dedicated “You Raise Me Up” to Danielle and others who had lost someone they loved.

Singer Shane Filan spoke about Danielle before the emotional performance.

The moment became a touching tribute to a fan whose final night out had begun with the music she loved.

GARDAÍ ARE STILL LOOKING FOR ANSWERS

Danielle’s death remains the subject of a Garda investigation.

Authorities are asking anyone who was travelling around North Wall Quay around the time of the crash — particularly anyone with dash-cam or other camera footage — to come forward.

Gardaí have asked people with relevant information to contact Store Street Garda Station or provide information through the Garda Confidential Line.

The investigation is continuing as Danielle’s family prepares to say goodbye.

“SHE HAD SO MUCH TO LOOK FORWARD TO”

Danielle was only 37.

She had a husband she loved, two young sons, a close family, friends who had travelled with her for a night out and a family holiday just days away.

The night began with Westlife songs and memories that were supposed to last a lifetime.

Instead, the family is now holding onto the memories of Danielle herself.

A mother.

A wife.

A daughter.

A sister.

And a woman whose life was centred around the people she loved most.

Her family had packed their bags for Mallorca.

Danielle never got to go.

Rest in peace, Danielle O’Keane. 🕊️

Her memory now lives on in the hearts of her husband, her two young sons, her family, her friends — and the many strangers who have joined them in mourning.