A WOMAN attending a Britney Spears concert died after falling from a fairground ride outside the venue.

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

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

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."

Gardai said the incident happened at around 11.20pm at the Point Village next to the O2, where Ms Healy had earlier been to see Spears, who is touring Europe with her Femme Fatale show.

It is believed she fell from a ride called the Tip Top, which was run by funfair operator 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."

Mr McFadden, whose son also runs 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 up.

Dublin was battered by torrential rain and widespread flooding last night.

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.

A spokesman for the O2 arena said Mr McFadden rents the ground at the adjacent Point Village from Crosby 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 gardai and we are, of course, co-operating fully with them."

It is believed Ms Healy died instantly and her body was removed from the scene. The area was sealed off ahead of a forensic examination by Garda technical experts.

Garda officers at Store Street have launched an inquiry.

It is understood there were a number of fairground rides outside O2 for the event.

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