“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.”
O’Connor’s family broke the news of the Irish singer’s death in a brief statement on Wednesday evening, prompting mourning and tributes from artists and others around the world.
In a Twitter video post shared on 9 July O’Connor filmed herself at a flat, saying she had moved to London and intended to record new songs.
“I’ll make a video because some of you are saying you don’t believe it’s my account; it is my account. But fret not, I’m going to be a good girl,” she said. “I look like shit either way, which is why I didn’t want to make a video.”
Referring to the death of her 17-year-old son, Shane, who died 18 months ago after leaving a hospital while on suicide watch, she said: “But you know the way your kid, unfortunately, passes away, it isn’t good for one’s body or soul to be fair. But anyways, let’s not dwell on that.”
The camera panned around the living room and kitchen, showing a vase with sunflowers and a guitar, which O’Connor said she intended to use to compose songs. The Dubliner had lived in London intermittently over the decades.
Tributes continued to flow. “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,” said the Irish president, Michael D Higgins. “May her spirit find the peace she sought in so many different ways.”
In a social media post, the singer Morrissey accused some celebrities of appreciating O’Connor only after her death. “You praise her now ONLY because it is too late. You hadn’t the guts to support her when she was alive and she was looking for you.”
One fan left a handwritten tribute to O’Connor on the doorstep of her former home near Dublin
The Taoiseach (Irish PM) Leo Varadkar also paid tribute to O’Connor, who was born in Dublin.
He said her music “was loved around the world and her talent was unmatched”.
Sinn Fein vice-president Michelle O’Neill delivered a tribute at Stormont, the Northern Ireland Assembly, saying:”Ireland has lost one of its greats, such a hugely talented female artist, a real trailblazer.
“She was an Irish woman in the music industry who led the way and her loss will be felt greatly by many.”Media caption,
Watch: Sinéad O’Connor – Songs are “conversations with my soul”
The Smiths singer Morrissey wrote on his website: “She had the courage to speak when everyone else stayed safely silent. She was harassed simply for being herself. Her eyes finally closed in search of a soul she could call her own.”
One fan left a handwritten tribute to O’Connor on the doorstep of one of her former homes in Bray, County Wicklow, which read: “May your journey to the afterlife be beautiful and healing.”
Irish TV presenter Laura Whitmore said on Instagram: “As an Irish woman growing up in the 90s, she was everything, showing girls were cool.
“Irish women could be recognised globally and shaved heads not just for guys – though not a look I could carry off.
“My mam told everyone who visited Sinéad lived on our road – she was our royalty. Rest in peace Queen x.”
Irish singer and activist Sinéad O’Connor has died at the age of 56.
Her family announced the news “with great sadness”, saying “her family and friends are devastated”. The cause of death has not been made public.
She was best known for her single Nothing Compares 2 U, released in 1990, which reached number one and brought her worldwide fame.
Taoiseach (Irish PM) Leo Varadkar said her music “was loved around the world and her talent was unmatched”.
Irish President Michael D Higgins praised O’Connor’s “authenticity” as well as her “beautiful, unique voice”.
“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,” he said.
