Music icon Sinead O’Connor has died aged 56
Irish musician Sinead O’Connor has died aged 56, it has been confirmed.
The singer was best known for her track 'Nothing Compares 2 U', which made her an international superstar and sold millions of copies around the world.
She even went on to be Grammy-nominated, with O'Connor producing ten albums across her short life.
Her family announced the tragic news in a statement earlier today (July 26), which read: "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinéad."
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It continued: "Her family and friends are devastated and have requested privacy at this very difficult time."
O'Connor's death comes just over a year after the loss of her son, Shane, who passed away aged just 17.
In her last tweet, the mum-of-four spoke about how she'd struggled with the loss of her eldest son writing: "Been living as undead night creature since. He was the love of my life, the lamp of my soul."
She added: "We were one soul in two halves. He was the only person who ever loved me unconditionally. I am lost in the bardo without him."
Following the tragic news, tributes have started to pour in for the late musician - who was originally from Glenageary.
Among those offering their condolences was the Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar - who wrote: "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. Condolences to her family, her friends and all who loved her music."
His tweet ended with a Gaelic phrase, 'Ar dheis Dé go Raibh a hAnam', which translates as rest in peace.
The news will undoubtedly devastate O'Connor's fans, who've followed the singer since the late eighties.
Her first album, The Lion and the Cobra, reached the top UK 40 in 1987, with O'Connor going on to release mega-hits such as 'Nothing Compares 2 U'.
She was also a political activist and notoriously ripped up a photo of Pope John Paul II, during a performance on Saturday Night Live.
It resulted in the musician being banned from broadcaster NBC but unsurprisingly, she wasn't phased by the incident even in later life and told the New York Times that 'it was brilliant' during a 2021 interview.
Converting to Islam towards the end of her life, O'Connor would change her name to Shuhada but would continue to use her stage name until she passed away.
The singer is survived by her three children.
Katherine Sidnell