Sinead O’Connor has died at the age of 56.
The cause of the singer-songwriter’s death is not yet known but it comes after the mother-of-four’s son Shane, 17, took his own life in January 2022 after escaping hospital while on suicide watch.
The singer, who was outspoken in her social and political views, released ten studio albums in all.
In a statement, the singer’s family said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinéad. Her family and friends are devastated and have requested privacy at this very difficult time.”
In a tweet, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he was “really sorry to hear” of the singer’s death.
“Her music was loved around the world and her talent was unmatched and beyond compare. Condolences to her family, her friends and all who loved her music. Ar dheis Dé go Raibh a hAna,” he added.
In her own last tweet just last week, O’Connor posted a photo of her son Shane and said, ‘Been living as undead night creature since. He was the love of my life, the lamp of my soul.”
Born in Dublin in December 1966, O’Connor became one of the country’s most famous daughters.
Her musical career began at the age of 15, and after a brief spell with a band in the 1980s, she was signed by Ensign Records.
Her first album The Lion and the Cobra was “a sensation” when it was released in 1987.
Her breakthrough on the international stage came with a recording of the Prince song, “Nothing Compares 2 U”.
Throughout her career, O’Connor was open about her mental health struggles.
Just before the turn of the century, she was ordained as a priest by the Latin Tridentine Church, while in 2018 she converted to Islam.
She always performed and recorded under her birth name, but also went by the names Magda Davitt and Shuhada’ Sadaqat.
O’Connor was married four times, and leaves a legacy of some of the most distinguishable songs of all time.
She was presented with the inaugural award for Classic Irish Album at the RTÉ Choice Music Awards earlier this year.
The singer received a standing ovation as she dedicated the award, for I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got, to “each and every member of Ireland’s refugee community”.
