Dublin fairground fall kills woman

A woman attending a Britney Spears concert in Dublin has died after falling from a fairground ride outside the venue.

A woman attending a Britney Spears concert in Dublin has died after falling from a fairground ride outside the venue.

The 31-year-old was on the Tip Top ride next to the O2 arena in Dublin when she fell to the ground on Monday night.

She has been named locally as Siobhan Healy, from Willsborough, outside Ballinlough in Co Roscommon, who was understood to be living in Dublin.

Britney Spears has said she was "saddened" by the death of a fan who was killed after falling from a fairground ride outside a concert venue.

In a statement, Spears said: "I was saddened to hear of the tragic accident in Dublin. My heart goes out to the family."

Councillor Michael McGreal, a neighbour and family friend, said the community is very shocked. "I know her family very well, we are all very upset."

Gardaí said the incident happened at around 11.20pm at the Point Village next to the O2, where Ms Healy had earlier attended a concert.

It is believed she fell from a ride called the Tip Top, which is run by funfair operator Kenneth McFadden, owner of McFadden's Entertainment.

Mr McFadden said he was devastated by the death.

"We can't say (what happened), it all happened so quick," he said. "We are just in bits at the moment, we are just devastated."

Mr McFadden, whose son also operates fairground rides at the site, said he was not going to open for business last night because of the severe weather, but decided to do so after the rain cleared.

The fairground operator said he has had the Tip Top ride for more than four years and never had any problems.

Investigators are hoping the incident was captured on CCTV, he added.

A spokesman for the O2 Arena said Mr McFadden rents the ground at the adjacent Point Village from Crosbie Properties to run his ride during concerts.

"Kenneth McFadden, owner of McFadden's Entertainment, confirms that a tragic incident took place last night at one of the attractions we operate," said the O2 spokesman.

"It is being investigated by the gardaí and we are, of course, co-operating fully with them."

The area has been sealed off for a forensic examination by Garda technical experts.

The Health and Safety Authority said it was not investigating the incident as it did not appear to be work-related.

Gardaí have appealed for a man who was seen using a camera phone while on the ride at the time of the incident to contact them at Store Street Garda station on 01-6668008

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PA