MUM-OF-TWO DANIELLE O’KEANE DIES AFTER DUBLIN RICKSHAW CRASH — WESTLIFE PAYS EMOTIONAL TRIBUTE

What was supposed to be a joyful night of music with friends has ended in heartbreak for a young family in Newry.

Danielle O’Keane, 37, a mother of two from Newry, County Armagh, died on October 1, several days after she was critically injured in a road accident in Dublin following a Westlife concert.

Danielle had travelled to Dublin with friends to see Westlife perform at the 3Arena on September 26. Later that night, she was making her way toward Dublin city centre to meet her husband, Dave, when the tragic accident happened.

She was taken to the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, where she spent several days receiving intensive care before her death.

A NIGHT THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE SPECIAL

Danielle had been enjoying a rare night out with friends at the Westlife concert.

After the show, she and three friends reportedly decided to travel by motorised rickshaw toward the city centre, where they planned to meet their husbands and partners.

According to accounts from Danielle’s family, the rickshaw was travelling near North Wall Quay at around 11 p.m. when it struck a divider and overturned.

Danielle fell from the vehicle and was struck by an oncoming car, according to reports from her family and Irish media.

She suffered catastrophic injuries and emergency services rushed her to hospital.

Gardaí have confirmed that a woman in her 30s was struck by a vehicle on North Wall Quay that night and later died in hospital.

HER FAMILY HELD ON TO HOPE

For several days, Danielle’s family remained by her side as doctors treated her in intensive care.

Her sister-in-law, Aisling O’Keane, previously described Danielle as a loving and selfless person whose life revolved around her husband and children.

The family had been looking forward to a holiday together in Mallorca. Danielle had already packed her bags for the trip, which was due to begin on October 5.

Instead, her family was forced to face an unimaginable loss.

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

A funeral notice described her as a much-loved wife and mother, as well as a beloved daughter and sister.

“HER LIFE WAS ABOUT HER KIDS AND HER HUSBAND”

Those closest to Danielle have remembered her as someone who was full of energy, warmth and kindness.

Her brother-in-law Derek said she was “full of life” and had a “heart of gold.”

Aisling also spoke about how much Danielle loved her family, saying that she was organised, loving and selfless.

For those who knew her, the tragedy is especially difficult to comprehend because Danielle had been looking forward to ordinary family moments — a holiday, time with her children and another year of memories with her husband.

WESTLIFE DEDICATES TWO SONGS TO DANIELLE

As news of Danielle’s death spread, the tragedy also reached the members of Westlife.

At their concert in Newcastle upon Tyne on October 3, the band paid an emotional tribute to the woman who had attended their Dublin show only days earlier.

Westlife dedicated “Flying Without Wings” to Danielle and her family.

Nicky Byrne told the audience that there were “no words” for what had happened and asked fans to sing the song for Danielle.

The band then performed “You Raise Me Up”, with Shane Filan dedicating the song to Danielle and to everyone who had lost someone they loved.

The tribute has since been widely shared by Westlife fans, with many sending messages of sympathy to Danielle’s family.

A FUNDRAISER FOR HER FAMILY

Following the accident, a GoFundMe campaign was created to help Danielle’s family with expenses during an incredibly difficult period.

The appeal has received an extraordinary response.

By October 4, it had raised more than £129,000, with donations coming from people in Ireland and beyond.

The fundraiser is intended to support Danielle’s husband and children as the family faces the financial and emotional consequences of her sudden death.

For a family that had been preparing for a holiday together, their lives have now changed completely.

GARDAÍ CONTINUE TO SEEK ANSWERS

Gardaí are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the collision.

They have appealed to anyone who was travelling in the North Wall Quay area between approximately 10:30 p.m. and 11:15 p.m. on September 26 to come forward.

Investigators are particularly interested in any dashcam or other camera footage that may have captured the incident or the moments leading up to it.

Anyone with information is being asked to contact Store Street Garda Station or the Garda Confidential Line.

A MOTHER, WIFE AND FRIEND WHO WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN

Danielle had gone to Dublin expecting a night of music and fun with friends.

She had a husband waiting to meet her after the concert.

She had two young boys waiting for their mother.

She had suitcases packed for a family holiday.

And she had a future filled with plans that she never got the chance to live.

Now, her family and friends are left holding onto memories of the woman they describe as loving, kind and full of life.

Westlife’s tribute offered one poignant reminder of how many people are now mourning her — but for her husband and two young sons, Danielle’s absence will be felt every day.

She was only 37.

And what began as a night of music has ended with a family preparing to say goodbye to a beloved wife and mother.

May Danielle O’Keane rest in peace.