National: Former RTE DJ grateful for 'second chance' as she gets treatment for alcohol addiction

Former RTÉ star Nikki Hayes has confirmed she is going into treatment for alcohol addiction, after sentencing in her money laundering case was put back recently to allow her get help. 

The case against her was put back for five months for an updated probation report and to allow her rehabilitation to continue 

Nikki Hayes, aged 44, whose real name is Eimear Black O’Keeffe, pleaded guilty to possessing €10,000 as the proceeds of crime in a Permanent TSB bank account within the State on November 5, 2020.

Two further counts of possessing €2,600 and €2,400 as the proceeds of crime in her account on November 6, 2020, were taken into consideration by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Hi, I'm Eimear (some know me as Nikki) I am an alcoholic and this Monday I am been given a second chance by going into treatment. My family have been my lifeline and im hoping to get back to the person I used to be. xx Thank you for all ur support

— Nikki Hayes (@nikkihayes) November 18, 2023

Judge Martina Baxter was informed last week that O’Keeffe, who has an address at The Way, Hunter’s Run, Clonee, Dublin 15, suffered a fall and attended St James’s Hospital in Dublin. She was later discharged with a reference to concussion.

Judge Baxter had adjourned the matter for finalisation.

Defence counsel Keith Spencer told Judge Baxter that his client has now “accepted” she has a difficulty with alcohol and is taking steps to address this.

At an earlier hearing, Garda Neill Gavin agreed with defence counsel that O’Keeffe was “genuinely vulnerable’ and struggling with her mental health at the time.

The former DJ says she is grateful to her family who have been her "lifeline". She thanked everyone who has supported her.