Sinead O’Connor death – latest: Russell Crowe pays tribute to ‘amazing’ and ‘courageous’ singer

Police have issued a statement on the death of Irish musician Sinéad O’Connor.

O’Connor’s death was confirmed by her family in a statement provided to BBC News on Wednesday. The Dublin-born musician died on Wednesday aged 56, after being found “unresponsive” in “a residential address” in the Lambeth area of London.

According to The Irish Sun, police said in a statement that O’Connor “was pronounced dead at the scene” and that her “death is not being treated as suspicious”.

Her death comes a year after the suicide of her 17-year-old son Shane.

Throughout her life, O’Connor was known for her political activism and personal candour, as well as a string of acclaimed albums and her 1990 cover of Prince’s “Nothing Compares 2 U”.

Conor McGregor and Russell Crowe have led tributes to the “Jackie” singer.

In his lengthy tribute, Crowe shared the story of an encounter he had with O’Connor outside an Irish pub in 2022.

“We sat there the four of us and variously expressed the same thing. What an amazing woman. Peace be with your courageous heart Sinéad,” the Unhinged star wrote on Twitter.

Key points‘You praise her now only because it’s too late’: Morrissey lashes out at tributes to Sinead O’Connor

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Morrissey has furiously called out stars and members of the press paying tribute to Sinead O’Connor, after her death at the age of 56.

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Morrissey lashes out at ‘cruel’ stars and press paying tribute to Sinead O’Connor

Sinead O’Connor: Police issue statement after Irish singer’s death

11:40 , Peony Hirwani

Police have issued a statement on the death of Sinead O’Connor.

The Irish musician died on Wednesday (26 July) aged 56, after being found “unresponsive” in “a residential address” in the Lambeth area of London.

Story continues

According to The Irish Sun, police said in a statement that O’Connor “was pronounced dead at the scene” and that her “death is not being treated as suspicious”.

Read more:

Police issue statement after Sinead O’Connor’s death

Watch: Sinead O’Connor’s heartbreaking final video just days before her death :white_check_mark: 1

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Sinead O’Connor shared heartbreaking post about death of son days before she died

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Sinead O’Connor’s final post on social media before her death was a heartbreaking tribute to her son, Shane, who died last year by suicide aged 17.

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Sinead O’Connor shared heartbreaking post about death of son days before she died

Aisling Bea pays touching tribute to Sinead O’Connor

10:30 , Peony Hirwani

Aisling Bea has written a lengthy tribute to Sinead O’Connor.

On Wednesday (26 July), the Irish comedian took to Instagram to write a tribute to the late singer.

“How desperately sad the loss of Sinéad O’Connor is,” she wrote in her post. “For music and Ireland.

“I did the Late Late Show with her a few years ago, a classic Irish lineup of all sorts of us, but I’d like to think including some women making their own paths in their worlds and not ones likely to be told to be quiet. She was an absolute hero of mine and one of the few people I’ve ever been star-struck by.

Bea continued: “I think she could tell because I became a chatty mess. She was dry and funny and kind and sharp and incredibly gentle.

“There’s a beautiful documentary out about her life now which is inspiring but also so desperately sad, not just because of what she went through but because of how she was treated, often by her own. She was vilified, humiliated at times, metaphorically crucified when alone and in her twenties.

“Everything she stood up for and against then, including racism in the music industry, has been proven to have been needed and right. She wasn’t just trying to look out for herself. She was the original truth sayer who wouldn’t go easy into the night. The original “difficult” woman who didn’t make it easy. Because easy wasn’t the right thing to do and it wasn’t the truth. Gone too soon. Nothing compares to you.”

The story of Sinead O’Connor’s ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ – and her eventful encounter with Prince

10:00 , Peony Hirwani

Sinead O’Connor’s ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ – and her eventful encounter with Prince

Sinead O’Connor’s former flatmate pays tribute to late singer

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Sinead O’Connor’s former flatmate Nitin Sawhney has paid tribute to the singer after her death.

“Devastated to hear of the passing of Sinead O’Connor,” the musician and producer wrote on Twitter on Wednesday (26 July).

“Back in the 90s she came over to my tiny room in a shared flat in Tooting and we jammed together for ages,” Sawhney added. “She was so kind to my flat mates including @MykolachiHello who she sweetly complimented on her red coat…

:She stayed in touch for a while afterwards and was always so supportive. I will miss her humility, her incredible voice and her honest, compassionate soul.”

Presenter and producer Siobhán McAndrew pays tribute to Sinéad O’Connor

09:00 , Peony Hirwani

“You were so loved by so many Sinéad O’Connor,” Siobhán McAndrew wrote on Twitter along with a video of the “Jackie” singer taking the stage at the RTÉ Choice Music earlier this year.

“This video was taken just 4 months ago at the @choiceprize awards in Dublin and the atmosphere in the room when Sinéad took to the stage was just electric,” McAndrew added. “I’m sorry the world was so cruel to you. Rest in Power Irish Princess.”

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Story of the song: Nothing Compares 2 U by Sinead O’Connor

08:00 , Peony Hirwani

From The Independent archive: Robert Webb on a discarded Prince song that packed an emotional punch for the Irish singer.

Story of the song: Nothing Compares 2 U by Sinead O’Connor

Sinead O’Connor, the Irish artist who put her pain, and the pain of others, into song

07:30 , Peony Hirwani

O’Connor shot to fame in 1990 with her cover of Prince’s “Nothing Compares 2 U”, confronting the nation with all her trauma and vulnerability. The Independent’s Helen Brown pays tribute to a complicated, brilliant artist.

Sinead O’Connor, the Irish artist who put her pain, and the pain of others, into song

Director of Sinead O’Connor documentary ‘devastated’ at singer’s death

07:00 , Peony Hirwani

Director Kathryn Ferguson, who made a documentary called Nothing Compares about O’Connor’s life, told BBC Radio 4’s Front Row show on Wednesday (26 July) that she was “devastated” to hear the news of the singer’s death.

Read more:

Director of Sinead O’Connor documentary ‘devastated’ at singer’s death

Russell Crowe recalls encounter with Sinéad O’Connor outside Irish pub

06:30 , Peony Hirwani

Russell Crowe has paid tribute to Sinéad O’Connor.

On Wednesday (26 July), the 59-year-old actor recalled a chance encounter he had with the late singer outside a pub in Ireland last year.

“Last year, working in Ireland, having a pint in the cold outside a Dalkey pub with some new friends, a woman with purpose strode past us,” Crowe wrote on Twitter. “Puffy parker zipped to the nape and her bowed head covered in a scarf. One of my new friends muttered an exclamation, jumped up and pursued the woman.

“Thirty metres down the road the friend and the woman embraced and he waived me over. There under streetlights with mist on my breath, I met Sinéad,” Crowe wrote. “She looked in my eyes, and uttered with disarming softness, ‘oh, it’s you Russell.’”

The Unhinged star continued by writing that O’Connor then joined him and his friends at a table as they engaged in a “conversation without fences,” that included discussions about a recent Dublin heatwave, local and American politics, the ongoing fight for indigenous recognition, her memories of New Zealand, faith, music, movies, and her brother.

“When her second cup was taking on the night air, she rose, embraced us all and strode away into the fog-dimmed streetlights,” Crowe wrote. “We sat there the four of us and variously expressed the same thing. What an amazing woman. Peace be with your courageous heart Sinéad.”

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(Getty Images)

Irish singer was vocal advocate for women in the music industry and reproductive rights

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In the years leading up to her death, O’Connor was vocal about her struggles with addiction and trauma.

The Irish singer cancelled her 2021 tour in order to undergo a year of rehabilitation for both.

O’Connor, who had frequently spoken about her mental health issues over the years, said that the stress of 2020, as well as the death of a loved one, led to her being “briefly addicted to a drug other than weed”.

At the time, she had tweeted: “Message for folks who have tickets for next year’s shows: those shows are being postponed until 2022 so that I may go into a one year trauma and addiction treatment program because I had a very traumatic six years and this year was the end of it but now recovery starts.

“I grew up with a lot of trauma and abuse. I then went straight into the music business. And never learned really how to make a normal life. Never took proper time to heal. Wasn’t ready to either.

“Music business is a very unforgiving place for artists who need to postpone due to emotional or mental health issues,” she added.

Sinead O’Connor, the Irish artist who put her pain, and the pain of others, into song

04:00 , Inga Parkel

Read Helen Brown’s beautiful tribute to the “complicated and brilliant” Sinead O’Connor for The Independent.

Sinead O’Connor (Rex Features)

O’Connor shot to fame in 1990 with her cover of Prince’s ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’, confronting the nation with all her trauma and vulnerability. Helen Brown pays tribute to a complicated, brilliant artist

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The Independent’s own Roisin O’Connor shares her personal connection to Sinead O’Connor in a lovely tribute.

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Irish mixed martial artist Conor McGregor pays homage to an “artist with the voice of an Angel”.

“I have lost a friend. Sinead’s music will live on and continue to inspire! Rest In Peace, Sinead you are home with your son I am sure,” he tweeted.

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Sinead O’Connor has died at the age of 56 (Zak Hussein/PA) (PA Wire)

Irish musician is being remembered for her music, which ‘was loved around the world’, for her punk spirit, and for her campaigning for women’s rights

‘Nothing Compares 2 U’: How Sinead O’Connor turned Prince’s song into a classic

01:00 , Inga Parkel

The music world was rocked on Wednesday (26 July) by the news that Irish singer Sinéad O’Connor has died at the age of 56.

While many are paying homage to O’Connor’s expansive musical and political legacy, others are remembering the singer for her 1990 cover of “Nothing Compares 2 U”.

Read more:

Sinead O’Connor (AFP via Getty Images)

Dublin-born singer shot to fame with her cover of a previously forgotten Prince song

Thursday 27 July 2023 00:30 , Inga Parkel

Author Marian Keyes found the news “heartbreaking”. “How she suffered. Poor, poor Sinead. Rest in peace, you amazing, brave, beautiful, unique wonder,” she wrote.

Thursday 27 July 2023 00:00 , Inga Parkel

This is an in depth look at one of O’Connor’s most famous moments, when she tore up a photograph of the Pope on live TV to take a stance against paedophilia in the church.

A brave, singular force in the world of music.

(NBC/Youtube)

Thirty years ago, a young Sinéad O’Connor shocked America with her political protest on ‘Saturday Night Live’. She was promptly banned for life by broadcaster NBC, pelted with eggs in the street and booed during live shows. Ed Power reflects on the impact of that night and the contrasting reactions in the US and Ireland

Sinead O’Connor, the chart-topping singer who courted controversy

Wednesday 26 July 2023 23:30 , Inga Parkel

Sinead O’Connor (Ian West/PA) (PA Wire)

The star is best known for her 1990 smash hit, ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’

Irish taoiseach Leo Varadkar has shared a tribute to O’Connor

Wednesday 26 July 2023 23:00 , Inga Parkel

“Her music was loved around the world and her talent was unmatched and beyond compare,” wrote the Irish leader.

Wednesday 26 July 2023 22:30 , Inga Parkel

In July 1990, Sinead O’Connor joined Roger Waters and other fellow artists to commemorate the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Watch a snippet of their historic performance below.

Singer’s death comes a year after the death of her teenage son

Wednesday 26 July 2023 22:00 , Inga Parkel

Sinead O’Connor’s untimely death comes a year after the death of her 17-year-old son Shane. His death by suicide was announced by the singer in January 2022.

A month after his death, O’Connor deeply mourned the loss, saying she would never perform again.

“There will never be anything to sing about again,” she tweeted at the time.

The “Nothing Compares 2 U” artist is survived by her three children Jake Reynolds, 36, Roisin Waters, 27, and Yeshua Bonadi, 16.

Sinead O’Connor, the Irish artist who put her pain, and the pain of others, into song

Wednesday 26 July 2023 21:30 , Inga Parkel

Read Helen Brown’s beautiful tribute to the “complicated and brilliant” Sinead O’Connor for The Independent.

Sinead O’Connor (AP)

O’Connor shot to fame in 1990 with her cover of Prince’s ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’, confronting the nation with all her trauma and vulnerability. Helen Brown pays tribute to a complicated, brilliant artist

WATCH: Sinead O’Connor’s stand-out moments

Wednesday 26 July 2023 21:10 , Inga Parkel

The world pays tribute

Wednesday 26 July 2023 20:48 , Tom Murray

Tributes from around the world have poured in for the late artist after being led by Irish taoiseach Leo Varadkar.

“Really sorry to hear of the passing of Sinéad O’Connor. Her music was loved around the world and her talent was unmatched and beyond compare,” the Irish politician tweeted.

Among those sending condolences are Irish mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor, American rapper Ice-T and Irish comedian Dara Ó Briain.

Find a round-up of all the tributes here:

‘Her talent was unmatched’: The world pays tribute to Sinead O’Connor

Watch: Sinead O’Connor’s stand-out moments

Wednesday 26 July 2023 20:37 , Tom Murray

Wednesday 26 July 2023 20:30 , Louis Chilton

Here’s a roundup of some of the voices to have already shared tributes to the late Irish artist.

Figures including Irish writer Marian Keyes and comedian Dara O’Briain have expressed their sorrow over O’Connor’s untimely death.

Read more:

Irish taoiseach Leo Varadkar leads tributes to Sinead O’Connor

Wednesday 26 July 2023 20:27 , Louis Chilton

“A voice that cracked stone.”

Musician Alison Moyet wrote: “Heavy hearted at the loss of Sinead O’Connor. Wanted to reach out to her often but didn’t.

“I remember her launch. Astounding presence. Voice that cracked stone with force & by increment. As beautiful as any girl around & never traded on that card. I Loved that about her. Iconoclast.”

Wednesday 26 July 2023 20:08 , Louis Chilton

Tim Burgess, the leader of alt-rock band The Charlatans, wrote that O’Connor was “the true embodiment of a punk spirit”.

“She did not compromise and that made her life more of a struggle. Hoping that she has found peace.”

(PA)

Wednesday 26 July 2023 20:05 , Louis Chilton

O’Connor’s music transcended genre and continents. American rapper Ice-T is among the musicians to have shared a tribute.

“Respect to Sinead….. She stood for something… Unlike most people…. Rest Easy,” he wrote.

Wednesday 26 July 2023 20:02 , Louis Chilton

“One of the most incredible and unique voices in music.”

Here’s a remarkable clip of O’Connor performing alongside Roger Waters and the Band live in 1990.

Wednesday 26 July 2023 19:55 , Louis Chilton

Irish sibling musicians Jedward have shared their own tribute to O’Connor on social media.

“True Irish Icon of our Generation!” they wrote. “We only just met her this year and she was in good spirits, a very welcoming person with a big heart.”

Wednesday 26 July 2023 19:44 , Louis Chilton

Folk musician and protest singer Grace Petrie is among the artists paying tribute.

“Desperately sad news about Sinead O’Connor,” she wrote. “An amazing musician and an incredible voice for justice who deserved far better than the many ways music and media treated her.

“Not sure I have seen an artist take a risk or a stand comparable to the one she took in 1992 on the biggest platform she had ever had. Utterly uncompromising. Rest in power.”

Wednesday 26 July 2023 19:39 , Louis Chilton

This is an in depth look at one of O’Connor’s most famous moments, when she tore up a photograph of the Pope on live TV to take a stance against paedophilia in the church.

A brave, singular force in the world of music.

The day Sinéad O’Connor tore up a photo of the Pope on Saturday Night Live

Wednesday 26 July 2023 19:35 , Louis Chilton

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has shared a tribute to O’Connor.

“Her music was loved around the world and her talent was unmatched and beyond compare,” wrote the Irish leader.

Wednesday 26 July 2023 19:31 , Louis Chilton

“A trailblazer… Fearless, uncompromising & a superlative talent. Proved to be ahead of her time, again and again.

“Her passing at 56 is a devastating loss.”

Wednesday 26 July 2023 19:27 , Louis Chilton

Some deeply moving tributes are already being shared on social media – it’s clear her activism resonated with people just as much as her music.

Wednesday 26 July 2023 19:21 , Louis Chilton

The music world has been rocked this evening by the news that Irish singer Sinéad O’Connor has died.

Her family announced in a statement: “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.”

Read more:

Sinead O’Connor dies aged 56