A 37-year-old mother of two is in intensive care on a ventilator after sustaining what doctors have described as a "life-ending brain injury" in a road collision in Dublin. Danielle O'Keane, from Newry, Co. Down, was injured on North Wall Quay at around 11pm on Saturday, 26 September, as she was on her way to meet her husband after attending a Westlife reunion show at the 3Arena.
Collision after concert
Danielle had been at the band's reunion performance with friends. Her brother-in-law, Derek, told the Irish Mirror that the group were leaving the venue when the incident happened. "They went to the concert, and they were leaving. My brother David (Danielle's husband) was actually in the city centre with a couple of his friends… They were leaving to head up into the city centre to meet up with David," he said.
Derek described the moment doctors spoke to the family. "The doctor sat us down and spoke to us, and he actually revealed that she's actually facing a life-ending brain injury," he explained.
Waiting for brainstem test
He added: "At the moment, we're waiting for them; they're going through the process of confirming this. They do what's called a brainstem test, and this brainstem test verifies what they suspect from the MRI scan and CT scans. It's basically the step before they decide to remove all aids and the ventilator. So there is nothing they can do. There's no surgical intervention or anything they can do to help. It's just the process of waiting for them to officially turn off the machine. It's heartbreaking."
Gardaí in Store Street are investigating the collision. An initial statement said: "A female, aged in her 30s was struck by a vehicle on North Wall Quay and was removed from the scene to the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital for treatment of serious injuries. No other injuries were reported at the scene. A Forensic Garda Examination of the scene has taken place, and the road is now open."
Fundraiser and appeal
A fundraiser set up to help Danielle's family with bills has raised €26,684 of its €40,100 target, with support coming from far and wide. Derek praised the work of the nurses and gardaí, saying they have gone "above and beyond" for Danielle and her family.
Gardaí continue to appeal for witnesses. A spokesperson told the Irish Mirror: "Road users who may have camera footage, including dash-cam, and were travelling in the vicinity of North Wall Quay on Saturday, 26 September between 10.30pm and 11.15pm, are asked to make this available to investigating Gardaí." Anyone with information is asked to contact Store Street Garda Station on 01 666 8000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
