The Met Police Service have released a statement surrounding the death of legendary singer Sinéad O’Connor.
The 56-year-old’s family confirmed the sad news yesterday evening. Releasing a statement, reading: “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.”
The Met Police shared that her death is not being treated as suspicious. Saying: “Police were called at 11:18hrs on Wednesday, 26 July to reports of an unresponsive woman.
“Officers attended. A 56-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Next of kin have been notified. The death is not being treated as suspicious. A file will be prepared for the Coroner.”
The Dublin native rose to fame following her first album The Lion And The Cobra in 1987, which received critical acclaim.
She found enormous success with her second album, I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got, which included the sensational hit, Nothing Compares 2 U.
The beloved track top the charts around the world, reaching number one in Ireland, the US, the UK, and many more.
Sinéad received international recognition for her music, including a Brit Award for international female solo artist, 1991’s Artist Of The Year by Rolling Stone magazine, a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Performance, two Billboard Music Awards, and three MTV Video Music Awards.
Overall she released ten albums throughout her career, and was also known for being outspoken on her social and political beliefs.
Most notably her strong stance against child abuse in The Catholic Church, making headlines in 1992 when she tore up a picture of Pope John Paul II on American series Saturday Night Live, in protest of clerical abuses.
The musician converted to Islam in 2016, changing her name to Shuhada’ Sadaqat, but used her birth name professionally. She is survived by her three children, Jake, Roisin and Yeshua.
Tributes have poured in for the late artist, as fans and peers mourn.
President Michael D. Higgins released a statement, saying: “May I send my deepest condolences to Sinéad O’Connor’s father John, the members of her family and to all those with whom she shared her life. My first reaction on hearing the news of Sinéad’s loss was to remember her extraordinarily beautiful, unique voice. What was striking in all of the recordings she made and in all of her appearances was the authenticity of the performance, while her commitment to the delivery of the song and its meaning was total.”
“To those of us who had the privilege of knowing her, one couldn’t but always be struck by the depth of her fearless commitment to the important issues which she brought to public attention, no matter how uncomfortable those truths may have been.”
“What Ireland has lost at such a relatively young age is one of our greatest and most gifted composers, songwriters and performers of recent decades, one who had a unique talent and extraordinary connection with her audience, all of whom held such love and warmth for her.”
Continuing: “The way in which she was able to move across the different forms of the arts was a singular achievement, as was the way her voice went around the world and how it was received. Her accomplishments included a body of work for film through the production of perfectly chosen and widely acclaimed lyrics.”
“Sinéad O’Connor’s voice and delivery was in so many different ways original, extraordinary and left one with a deep impression that to have accomplished all she did while carrying the burden which she did was a powerful achievement in its own way.”
“Her contribution joins those great achievements of Irish women who contributed to our lives, its culture and its history in their own unique but unforgettable ways. May her spirit find the peace she sought in so many different ways.”
