DANIELLE O’KEANE, 37 — THE WESTLIFE NIGHT THAT ENDED IN TRAGEDY

She had gone to Dublin for a rare night out with friends to see Westlife. Days later, the mother of two was fighting for her life in hospital.

What was supposed to be a special night out for Danielle O’Keane and her friends ended in a devastating tragedy.

The 37-year-old mother of two from Saval, Newry, Co Down, had travelled to Dublin on Saturday, September 26, to attend a Westlife concert at the 3Arena.

It was described by her family as a rare opportunity for Danielle to enjoy a night away from her busy family life.

But as the evening came to an end, Danielle was involved in a serious road traffic collision while travelling in a rickshaw in Dublin city centre.

Five days later, she died in hospital.

A RARE NIGHT OUT

Danielle had travelled to Dublin with three friends for the Westlife concert.

Her sister-in-law, Aisling O’Keane, later described the evening as a rare occasion for Danielle to “let her hair down”.

The four friends reportedly wore matching Westlife T-shirts and enjoyed the concert before making their way from the 3Arena towards Dublin city centre.

They were travelling in a rickshaw because they were trying to meet Danielle’s husband, Dave, and the partners of the other women.

According to her family, Danielle had been looking forward to spending time with her loved ones after the concert.

Then, shortly after 10.30pm, tragedy struck.

THE CRASH ON NORTH WALL QUAY

The incident happened on North Wall Quay, close to Dublin’s 3Arena.

According to reports, the motorised rickshaw clipped a divider between a cycle lane and the main road before overturning.

Danielle was thrown from the vehicle and fell into the path of an approaching car.

She suffered catastrophic injuries.

Another woman travelling in the rickshaw also suffered injuries, including a broken nose, broken teeth and a minor head injury, but Danielle’s condition was far more serious.

Emergency services rushed Danielle to the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in Dublin.

Doctors determined that she had suffered what her family described as a “life-ending brain injury.”

She remained in intensive care as her loved ones waited desperately for news.

HER FAMILY REFUSED TO GIVE UP

For several days, Danielle’s family and friends hoped she might survive.

Her sister-in-law told Newstalk that Danielle was a loving and selfless person whose life revolved around her husband and her children.

She was the mother of two young boys, Caolán and Cillian, aged two and five.

Her family also revealed that Danielle had been preparing for a family holiday to Mallorca.

She had packed her suitcases and was looking forward to travelling with her husband and sons.

That holiday never happened.

Instead, her family gathered around her hospital bed as doctors fought to save her.

DANIELLE DIES FIVE DAYS AFTER THE CRASH

On October 1, 2026, Danielle died in hospital.

She was 37 years old.

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

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

Her husband Dave later shared a broken-heart message on social media alongside the family’s funeral notice.

Tributes quickly poured in from friends, relatives, colleagues and members of the local community.

One friend described Danielle as an “amazing woman” who would be terribly missed.

Another said she was “the best of us”.

WESTLIFE PAYS TRIBUTE

News of Danielle’s death also reached the band she had travelled to Dublin to see.

Westlife later paid an emotional tribute to her during a concert in Newcastle.

The band dedicated “Flying Without Wings” and “You Raise Me Up” to Danielle and others who had lost loved ones.

Nicky Byrne told the audience there were “no words” for what had happened and said the band’s thoughts were with Danielle’s entire family.

Before performing “You Raise Me Up”, Shane Filan dedicated the song to Danielle and to everyone who had lost someone they loved.

For Danielle’s family, the tribute carried an especially painful significance.

The concert that had begun as a night of music and happiness had ultimately become the last night out Danielle would ever have.

A FUNDRAISER FOR HER FAMILY

As Danielle remained in hospital, a fundraising campaign was established to support her family.

The appeal received an enormous response, with more than £129,000 reportedly raised within days.

People who had never met Danielle donated alongside friends, relatives and members of the wider community.

The scale of the response reflected the impact her story had made far beyond her home town of Newry.

QUESTIONS OVER RICKSHAW SAFETY

Danielle’s death has also triggered renewed debate about the use and regulation of rickshaws in Dublin.

Dublin City councillors have called for greater regulation, while some have gone further and called for a ban on rickshaws operating commercially on public roads.

The Irish Times reported that Dublin City Council agreed an emergency motion seeking greater legal clarity around the operation of rickshaws.

Councillors argued that existing legislation intended to regulate passenger transporters had not been fully commenced and called for action to address safety concerns.

The debate has intensified because Danielle’s death came after a crash involving one of these vehicles.

However, the wider regulatory debate should not be confused with the Garda investigation into the specific circumstances of Danielle’s death.

GARDAÍ CONTINUE THEIR INVESTIGATION

Gardaí are continuing to investigate the collision.

Technical specialists examined the scene, and officers have appealed to members of the public who may have witnessed the incident or captured it on dashcam or other cameras.

Road users travelling around North Wall Quay between approximately 10.30pm and 11.15pm on September 26 have been asked to provide any relevant footage to investigators.

No other fatalities were reported from the collision.

The investigation remains ongoing.

A MOTHER, WIFE AND FRIEND

Danielle’s funeral is scheduled for Friday, October 9, at St Joseph’s Church in Sheeptown, Co Down, with burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.

Her death notice captures the many roles she leaves behind: wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend.

But to her two young sons, she was simply their mum.

Danielle had gone to Dublin for one special night.

She had laughed with her friends, watched a band she loved and was making her way to meet her husband.

She was supposed to return home.

Instead, a devastating collision changed everything.

And now a family in Newry is preparing to say goodbye to a 37-year-old woman remembered by those who loved her as kind, loving and selfless.

A night that began with music and celebration has ended in unimaginable grief.