HEARTBROKEN FAMILY PREPARES TO BURY DANIELLE O’KEANE AFTER TRAGIC RICKSHAW CRASH FOLLOWING WESTLIFE CONCERT

NEW DETAILS OF THE FUNERAL HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED AS TRIBUTES CONTINUE FOR THE 37-YEAR-OLD MOTHER OF TWO

The family of Danielle O’Keane is preparing to say a heartbreaking final goodbye to the beloved mother and wife who died after a tragic rickshaw crash following a Westlife concert in Dublin.

Danielle, 37, from Saval in Newry, died on October 1 after spending several days in intensive care following the incident near North Wall Quay.

Her funeral arrangements have now been confirmed, with family and friends gathering this week to remember a woman described as loving, selfless and deeply devoted to her family.

A NIGHT OUT THAT ENDED IN TRAGEDY

Danielle had travelled to Dublin with three friends to attend Westlife’s concert at the 3Arena on September 26.

It was understood to be a rare opportunity for the mother of two to enjoy a night out with friends.

After the concert, Danielle and the other women got into a motorised rickshaw to travel toward Dublin city centre, where they planned to meet their husbands and partners.

But the journey lasted only moments.

Reports said the rickshaw clipped a divider between a cycle lane and the main road before overturning near North Wall Quay.

Danielle fell from the vehicle and was subsequently struck by an oncoming car.

Emergency services rushed to the scene and she was taken to the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital.

Her injuries were described as catastrophic, including a devastating brain injury.

HER FAMILY REFUSED TO GIVE UP HOPE

Danielle remained in intensive care for several days as her loved ones gathered around her.

Her brother-in-law said doctors determined that she had suffered a “life ending brain injury.”

Her husband, Dave, remained by her side as the family waited and hoped for a miracle.

But on October 1, Danielle sadly died.

Her death notice described her as the “much loved wife of Dave and dear mother of Caolán and Cillian.”

She was also remembered as the beloved daughter of Michael and Pauline and the dear sister of Barry and her twin brother, Sean.

FUNERAL DETAILS ANNOUNCED

Danielle’s remains are being received at her parents’ home in Newry on Wednesday and Thursday, October 7 and 8, from 1 p.m. until 9 p.m.

A one-way traffic system has been arranged along Crohill Road during those hours.

The family home will remain private on the morning of the funeral.

Her funeral Mass will take place at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, October 9, at St Joseph’s Church in Sheeptown.

Burial will follow in the adjoining cemetery.

The funeral notice said Danielle is deeply mourned by her husband, children, parents, siblings, extended family and friends.

SHE WAS “THE MOST AMAZING WOMAN”

Since news of Danielle’s death emerged, tributes have flooded in from friends, former colleagues and members of the wider community.

Friends remembered her as warm, kind and full of life.

One tribute described her as “the most amazing woman,” while others spoke about her beautiful smile, generous nature and the enormous hole her death has left behind.

Her colleagues at the HSE National Business Operations Department also expressed their sadness and offered condolences to her family.

Her sister-in-law Aisling previously told Newstalk that Danielle was an organised, loving and selfless person whose life revolved around her husband and children.

The family had also been preparing for a holiday together.

Danielle had reportedly packed her suitcases for a planned family trip to Mallorca with Dave and their two boys.

It was supposed to be their first family holiday.

Instead, the family is now preparing for her funeral.

WESTLIFE HONORS DANIELLE

News of Danielle’s condition reached Westlife following the crash, and the band later paid tribute to her after she died.

During a performance in Newcastle, the group dedicated “You Raise Me Up” and “Flying Without Wings” to Danielle and others who had lost loved ones.

Shane Filan told the audience that the song was being performed for Danielle and for everyone who had experienced the loss of someone they loved.

Nicky Byrne also asked the crowd to sing for Danielle.

The emotional tribute was later shared by her husband Dave.

For a woman whose night had begun with music, friendship and a long-awaited evening out, the tribute from the band she had gone to see became an especially poignant moment for her grieving family.

A MOTHER LEAVING BEHIND TWO YOUNG BOYS

Perhaps the most painful part of Danielle’s death is the family she leaves behind.

Her two young sons, Caolán and Cillian, have lost their mother.

Her husband has lost his wife.

Her parents have lost a daughter.

Her twin brother has lost his sister.

And a wide circle of friends and relatives are now facing the reality of a future without the woman they described as kind, loving and selfless.

The death notice simply described Danielle as a much-loved wife and mother.

But the hundreds of messages left in her memory reveal how much more she meant to those around her.

GARDAÍ CONTINUE THEIR INVESTIGATION

Gardaí are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Officers have appealed for witnesses who were in the North Wall Quay area between approximately 10:30 p.m. and 11:15 p.m. on September 26.

They are particularly interested in hearing from anyone who may have dashcam footage that could assist the investigation.

The investigation remains ongoing.

A FINAL GOODBYE TO DANIELLE

This week, Danielle’s loved ones will gather in Newry to say goodbye.

There will be photographs, memories, prayers and stories of the woman who went to Dublin for a night of music with friends and never returned home.

Her family will remember the mother who devoted herself to her two boys.

Her friends will remember her smile and warmth.

And Westlife fans will remember the woman whose final concert became the beginning of a heartbreaking story that touched thousands of people.

On Friday, Danielle will be laid to rest at St Joseph’s Church in Sheeptown.

For her husband Dave, her children Caolán and Cillian, and everyone who loved her, the goodbye will be unbearably difficult.

But the tributes pouring in since her death have made one thing clear:

Danielle O’Keane was deeply loved — and she will not be forgotten.