SHE WAS ONLY HEADING HOME AFTER A NIGHT OUT — DANIELLE O’KEANE’S TRAGIC FINAL JOURNEY AFTER A WESTLIFE CONCERT
SHE WAS ONLY HEADING HOME AFTER A NIGHT OUT — DANIELLE O’KEANE’S TRAGIC FINAL JOURNEY AFTER A WESTLIFE CONCERT
A rare night out with friends was supposed to end with Danielle O’Keane returning to her husband. Instead, the 37-year-old mother of two never made it home.
For Danielle O’Keane, the night of September 26 was supposed to be a happy one.
The 37-year-old mother from Saval, near Newry, County Armagh, had travelled to Dublin with friends to see Westlife perform at the 3Arena.
She had enjoyed the concert and was making her way into Dublin city centre to meet her husband Dave and the partners of her friends.
But during that journey, tragedy struck.
Danielle was travelling in a motorised rickshaw on North Wall Quay when the vehicle crashed. She suffered catastrophic injuries and was taken to the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital.
Five days later, her family faced the devastating news that she had died.
A NIGHT THAT WAS MEANT TO BE SPECIAL
Danielle’s sister-in-law Aisling O’Kane described the concert as a rare opportunity for Danielle to go out and enjoy herself with friends.
The four women had attended the Westlife show together and, according to Aisling, had a great time.
After the concert, they boarded a rickshaw to travel towards the city centre, where Danielle was due to meet Dave.
It was supposed to be an ordinary journey home after an unforgettable evening.
Instead, the family received a phone call that would change everything.
Gardaí said a woman in her 30s was struck by a vehicle at approximately 11 p.m. on North Wall Quay on September 26. She was taken by ambulance to the Mater hospital with serious injuries and later died there on October 1.
THE CRASH LEFT DANIELLE WITH A DEVASTATING BRAIN INJURY
Reports from Danielle’s family said the motorised rickshaw clipped a divider and overturned.
The Irish News reported that Danielle fell into the path of an approaching vehicle during the incident. Another woman travelling in the rickshaw also suffered injuries, although hers were described as less serious.
Danielle was rushed to hospital and placed in intensive care.
Her family were told that she had suffered a severe brain injury.
For days, they remained by her side and hoped for a different outcome.
But doctors eventually determined that the injury was fatal.
Her brother-in-law had earlier described the devastating medical prognosis as a “life-ending brain injury,” while the family waited through testing and treatment.
On October 1, Danielle died in hospital.
She was just 37.
SHE WAS A WIFE, A MOTHER AND THE HEART OF HER FAMILY
Away from the headlines, Danielle was known first and foremost as a wife and mother.
She and Dave had two young sons, Caolán, aged five, and Cillian, aged two.
A funeral notice described Danielle as the “much loved wife of Dave” and “dear mother” of her two boys.
She was also the beloved daughter of Michael and Pauline and sister of Barry and her twin brother Sean.
Her sister-in-law described her as loving and selfless, saying that her life revolved around her husband and children.
Friends have also shared emotional tributes online, remembering Danielle as an extraordinary woman who will be deeply missed.
A FAMILY HOLIDAY WAS JUST DAYS AWAY
Perhaps one of the most heartbreaking details to emerge was that Danielle had already packed her bags.
She was due to travel to Mallorca with her husband and children the following week.
It was expected to be the family’s first holiday together.
According to her sister-in-law, one of the last messages she received from Danielle was a photograph of the suitcases she had prepared for the trip.
Those bags were ready.
The holiday was waiting.
But Danielle never got to go.
A COMMUNITY RALLIED AROUND HER FAMILY
As Danielle remained in hospital, an online fundraiser was established to support her and her family.
The campaign quickly attracted enormous support from friends, relatives and people who had never met Danielle but were moved by the family’s story.
Newry.ie reported that more than £100,000 had already been raised while Danielle was still in intensive care.
The fundraising effort became a reflection of how widely loved Danielle was in her community.
Her brother Sean said the family had been overwhelmed by the kindness and support they received during the darkest days of their lives.
WESTLIFE ALSO REMEMBERED DANIELLE
News of Danielle’s death reached the band she had gone to see that night.
Westlife later paid tribute to her during a performance in Newcastle.
The band dedicated “Flying Without Wings” and “You Raise Me Up” to Danielle and others who had lost people they loved.
Nicky Byrne asked the audience to sing for Danielle, while Shane Filan spoke about remembering those who were no longer with their families.
The emotional tribute came only days after Danielle had attended their Dublin concert herself.
For her family, it was a poignant reminder of how a night that had begun with music and happiness had ended in unimaginable heartbreak.
GARDAÍ CONTINUE TO SEEK ANSWERS
The circumstances surrounding the collision remain under investigation.
Gardaí have appealed to anyone who was in the North Wall Quay area on the night of September 26 and may have footage that could assist investigators.
In particular, officers are seeking dashcam or camera footage recorded between approximately 10:30 p.m. and 11:15 p.m.
Anyone with relevant information has been asked to contact Store Street Garda Station, the Garda Confidential Line or any Garda station.
The appeal means the investigation is still active, and the exact circumstances of the collision remain a matter for investigators.
HER FAMILY NOW FACES LIFE WITHOUT HER
Danielle’s death has left behind two young children, a grieving husband, parents, siblings and a wide circle of relatives and friends.
The funeral notice described the loss as one deeply felt throughout the entire family circle.
And perhaps the most painful part is how ordinary her final plans had been.
A concert with friends.
A journey into the city.
Meeting her husband.
A family holiday only days away.
She was not supposed to become the subject of a heartbreaking news story.
She was supposed to go home.
She was supposed to return to her children.
Instead, her family are now left holding onto memories of a woman they described as loving, selfless and completely devoted to the people she loved.
For Caolán and Cillian, their mother will be remembered not for the tragedy that took her away, but for the love she gave them every day.
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