DANIELLE O’KEANE’S HEARTBREAKING FINAL NIGHT — MUM-OF-TWO DIES AFTER WESTLIFE CONCERT CRASH

The 37-year-old Newry mother had been enjoying a rare night out with friends to see Westlife before a devastating rickshaw crash changed everything

What was meant to be a joyful night out with friends ended in unimaginable heartbreak for Danielle O’Keane.

The 37-year-old mother of two had travelled from Newry to Dublin to see Westlife perform at the 3Arena on Saturday, September 26.

It was supposed to be a night of music, laughter and memories.

Instead, Danielle would suffer catastrophic injuries in a road accident just hours later — and after days in intensive care, her family would face the devastating news that she could not recover.

Danielle died in hospital on Thursday, October 1.

A RARE NIGHT OUT

Danielle was from Saval, near Newry, and was described by relatives as a devoted wife and mother.

She had gone to Dublin with friends to enjoy the Westlife concert — something her family said was unusual for her.

After the show, the group travelled by motorised rickshaw from the 3Arena towards Dublin city centre, where Danielle was due to meet her husband, Dave, and the partners of her friends.

They had only been travelling for a short time when tragedy struck.

At around 11 p.m., the rickshaw was travelling along North Wall Quay when it hit a divider between a cycle lane and the main road and overturned.

Danielle was thrown from the vehicle and suffered devastating head injuries.

She was taken to the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, where she was placed in intensive care and put on life support.

“SHE WAS FULL OF LIFE”

For Danielle’s family, the days that followed were filled with hope, fear and heartbreak.

Her brother-in-law Derek described her as someone who was full of energy and had a heart of gold.

Doctors told the family that Danielle had suffered a life-ending brain injury.

Her relatives waited as medical specialists carried out further tests to determine the extent of the damage.

But on October 1, the family confirmed that Danielle had died.

She was just 37 years old.

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

THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO BE GOING ON HOLIDAY

Perhaps one of the most painful details for Danielle’s loved ones is what was supposed to happen next.

The family had been preparing for their first holiday together in Mallorca.

Their bags were packed.

The trip was planned for October 5 — just days after the accident.

Instead of boarding a flight together, Danielle’s family was left mourning her death.

Her sister-in-law said Danielle had so much to look forward to, making the sudden tragedy even harder for those who loved her.

WESTLIFE REMEMBER DANIELLE

As news of Danielle’s death spread, tributes began pouring in.

Westlife also honoured her during their concert at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle on October 3.

The band dedicated “Flying Without Wings” and “You Raise Me Up” to Danielle and her family.

Before “Flying Without Wings,” Nicky Byrne spoke about dedicating the song to Danielle and her family.

Shane Filan later introduced “You Raise Me Up” as a song for everyone who had lost someone they loved — including Danielle.

The arena joined the band in remembering her.

For Danielle’s loved ones, the tribute came just days after they had lost a woman they described as warm, loving and full of life.

A FAMILY LEFT BEHIND

Danielle’s death notice described her as the much-loved wife of Dave and devoted mother of Caolán and Cillian.

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

Friends and relatives have continued to share tributes, remembering Danielle not simply for the tragedy that ended her life, but for the person she was before it.

A fundraiser was also established to help her family.

Within days, it had raised more than £129,000, reflecting the extraordinary response from people who had never even met Danielle but were moved by the story of a young mother whose life changed in a matter of seconds.

GARDAÍ CONTINUE TO APPEAL FOR ANSWERS

Gardaí are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.

They have appealed to anyone who was travelling through the North Wall Quay area between approximately 10:30 p.m. and 11:15 p.m. on September 26 who may have dashcam or other camera footage.

Investigators are particularly interested in footage that could help establish exactly what happened in the moments surrounding the collision.

The investigation remains ongoing.

A NIGHT THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO END WITH MUSIC

Danielle went to Dublin to hear songs she loved.

She spent the evening with friends.

She was supposed to meet her husband afterwards.

She was supposed to go home.

She was supposed to fly to Mallorca with her family just days later.

Instead, a devastating accident changed the course of an entire family forever.

At just 37, Danielle O’Keane leaves behind two little boys who will grow up knowing their mother through the memories of the people who loved her.

And at a Westlife concert in Newcastle, thousands of people stood together and sang for a woman many had never met.

“You Raise Me Up” was sung for Danielle.

A final musical tribute to a mother, wife, daughter, sister and friend whose life ended far too soon.