Britney ‘saddened’ by funfair death

BRITNEY Spears has said she was “saddened” by the death of a fan who was killed after falling from a fairground ride outside Dublin’s 02 arena.

The 31-year-old woman was thrown to the ground from the Tip Top ride next to the venue after seeing the Toxic singer live on Monday.

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

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

Councillor Michael McGreal, a neighbour and family friend, said Ms Healy was an only child and her mother, Doreen, had lost her husband several years ago.

“The community is very shocked,” he said.

“I know her family very well, we are all very upset.”

Gardaí said the incident happened at around 11.20pm. It is believed Ms Healy died instantly after a fall from the Tip Top ride, which was run by Kenneth McFadden, owner of McFadden’s Entertainment.

Mr McFadden said he was devastated for the woman’s family.

“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.”

The fairground operator said he has had the Tip Top ride for four or five years and never had any problems with it.

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