YOUNG MUM DANIELLE O’KEANE DIES DAYS AFTER WESTLIFE CONCERT — SHE WAS JUST HEADING TO MEET HER HUSBAND

A joyful night out to see Westlife has ended in unimaginable heartbreak for one family after a young mother died following a serious road crash in Dublin.

Danielle O’Keane, 37, from Newry, County Armagh, died on Thursday, October 1, after spending several days in intensive care following a rickshaw crash near Dublin’s North Wall Quay.

She leaves behind her husband, Dave, and their two young sons, Caolán, 5, and Cillian, 2.

IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A HAPPY NIGHT

Danielle had travelled to Dublin with friends on Saturday, September 26, to enjoy a Westlife concert at the 3Arena.

Her family described it as a rare opportunity for Danielle to go out, relax and enjoy an evening with friends.

After the concert, she and the other women got into a motorised rickshaw to travel toward Dublin city centre, where Danielle was due to meet her husband and friends.

The journey was expected to take only a few minutes.

Instead, everything changed.

THE CRASH HAPPENED JUST SECONDS INTO THE JOURNEY

According to Danielle’s family, the rickshaw struck a divider between the cycle lane and the road before overturning.

Danielle fell from the vehicle and was struck by a passing car.

Emergency services were called, and she was rushed to Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, where doctors treated her for catastrophic brain injuries.

She remained in intensive care and was placed on a ventilator as her family waited desperately for answers.

HER FAMILY NEVER LEFT HER SIDE

Danielle’s relatives described the days that followed as devastating.

Her brother-in-law Derek said the family had been told that she had suffered a “life-ending brain injury” and that doctors were carrying out neurological testing to determine the extent of the damage.

The family stayed close as doctors continued caring for her.

Then, on October 1, the heartbreaking news came that Danielle had died.

She was surrounded by her loved ones.

“THE SWEETEST GIRL YOU’D EVER MEET”

Those who knew Danielle have remembered her not for the tragedy that took her life, but for the person she was.

Her brother-in-law described her as full of life, full of energy and having a heart of gold.

Friends and relatives have also paid tribute to Danielle as a loving mother and devoted wife.

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

HER FAMILY HAD BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO A HOLIDAY

Perhaps one of the most painful details for the family is what was supposed to happen next.

Danielle, her husband and their two boys had been preparing for their first family holiday together in Mallorca.

Their bags had already been packed.

The family had expected to be making happy memories together. Instead, they were preparing to say goodbye to Danielle.

WESTLIFE REPORTEDLY REACHED OUT

Danielle’s night had begun with Westlife’s concert, and reports said the band later reached out privately to her family following the tragedy.

The focus, however, has remained on Danielle and the family she leaves behind.

A fundraising campaign was also established to help support her husband and children through the difficult period. It quickly received an enormous response from people in Ireland and beyond.

GARDAÍ CONTINUE TO INVESTIGATE

Gardaí are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the September 26 collision.

They have appealed to anyone who was travelling around North Wall Quay between approximately 10:30 p.m. and 11:15 p.m. that evening, particularly anyone with dashcam or other camera footage, to come forward.

For Danielle’s family, the investigation is now taking place alongside an unbearable loss.

A night that began with music, friends and a long-awaited evening out ended with a mother of two losing her life.

Danielle O’Keane was only 37.

She leaves behind two little boys who will grow up knowing the love of a mother whose family says had a heart of gold. 🤍