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

She had travelled to Dublin for a night out with friends to see Westlife. Days later, the mother of two was gone, leaving her family facing an unimaginable goodbye.

Danielle O’Keane was only 37.

A mother of two young boys, a devoted wife and a woman described by her family as loving, selfless and full of life, she had travelled from Newry to Dublin for what was supposed to be a joyful night out with friends.

She went to see Westlife perform at the 3Arena on Saturday, September 26.

Instead, the evening ended in a devastating road incident that would leave Danielle fighting for her life — and her family facing a heartbreaking loss.

Danielle died in hospital five days later.

A NIGHT THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE SPECIAL

Danielle, from Saval in Newry, County Down, had travelled to Dublin with three friends for the Westlife concert.

Her sister-in-law Aisling O’Keane said it was a rare opportunity for Danielle to go out and enjoy herself.

The women had even worn matching Westlife shirts for the concert.

After the show, they took a motorised rickshaw towards Dublin city centre, where they were planning to meet Danielle’s husband, Dave, and the partners of the other women.

But around 11pm, tragedy struck on North Wall Quay.

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

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

She suffered devastating head injuries and was rushed by ambulance to the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital.

“LIFE-ENDING” BRAIN INJURY

As Danielle remained in intensive care, doctors told her family that she had suffered what her brother-in-law described as a “life-ending brain injury.”

She was placed on life support while doctors carried out further neurological testing.

Her family refused to give up hope.

But after days of uncertainty, the devastating news came.

Danielle died on Thursday, October 1.

Gardaí later confirmed that a woman in her 30s had been seriously injured in the incident and subsequently died in hospital.

SHE HAD SO MUCH TO LOOK FORWARD TO

Perhaps one of the most heartbreaking details for Danielle’s family was that she had been preparing for a family holiday.

Her bags were already packed.

Danielle, Dave and their two young sons — Caolán and Cillian, aged five and two — were due to travel to Mallorca on October 5.

It was supposed to be their first family holiday together.

Her brother-in-law Derek told reporters that Danielle had been looking forward to the trip and had “so much to look forward to.”

“She was only 37,” he said, describing her as a woman who was full of energy and had a heart of gold.

Now, instead of boarding a plane together, her family is preparing to say goodbye.

A MOTHER, WIFE AND SISTER

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

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

Her family said she would be deeply missed by her relatives, friends and wider family circle.

Tributes have poured in from people who knew Danielle, with friends remembering her as a warm, gentle and loving person.

Her sister-in-law described her as “loving” and “selfless”, saying that her life revolved around her husband and children.

WESTLIFE PAYS TRIBUTE

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

During a concert at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle, Westlife dedicated two emotional songs to her memory.

Nicky Byrne dedicated “Flying Without Wings” to Danielle and her family, while Shane Filan dedicated “You Raise Me Up” to Danielle and to everyone who had lost someone they loved.

The tribute brought an emotional moment to the concert as fans joined in.

For Danielle’s loved ones, the songs carried a painful connection to the final happy night she spent with her friends.

A FUNDRAISER BRINGS AN OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT

As Danielle remained in hospital, friends and relatives launched a fundraiser to support her family.

The response was enormous.

More than £100,000 had been raised within days, with the total later surpassing £129,000 as people from Ireland and beyond rallied behind the family.

The donations offered some practical support during an unimaginable period, but for Danielle’s family, the loss itself cannot be measured.

They have lost a wife.

A mother.

A daughter.

A sister.

A friend.

QUESTIONS ABOUT RICKSHAWS

Danielle’s death has also triggered a wider debate about the safety and regulation of motorised rickshaws in Dublin.

Councillors have called for tighter regulation, with some going further and calling for a ban.

The Irish Times reported that legislation intended to regulate rickshaws has not been fully commenced, prompting renewed calls for action following Danielle’s death.

However, Gardaí continue to investigate the circumstances of the individual collision.

They have appealed to anyone who was travelling around North Wall Quay between 10:30pm and 11:15pm on September 26 to come forward, particularly anyone with dashcam or other camera footage.

THE FINAL GOODBYE

Danielle’s funeral is scheduled for Friday, October 9, at St Joseph’s Church in Sheeptown, County Down, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery. Her remains are being received at her parents’ home before the funeral.

For those who loved her, the tragedy is still almost impossible to comprehend.

She had gone to Dublin for a concert.

She had spent the evening with friends.

She had a family holiday waiting just days away.

She had two little boys waiting for their mother to come home.

Instead, Danielle’s family is now preparing to lay her to rest.

She was only 37.

And for her husband, her children, her parents, brothers, friends and everyone who knew her, the woman who went to Dublin for one special night will forever be remembered as the loving, selfless mother and wife whose life ended far too soon.

Danielle O’Keane — much loved, deeply missed and never forgotten.