Sinéad O’Connor, the Irish pop star whose single Nothing Compares 2 U became a global number one single in 1990 has died at the age of 56.

The acclaimed singer, who was born in Dublin, released 10 studio albums during her career.

A statement from the singer’s family, reported by RTE and The Irish Times, 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.”

• It is not known how O’Connor died, but she had been open about her mental health struggles.

Last year, following the death of her son Shane aged 17 by suicide, she was admitted to hospital after posting on social media that she had “decided to follow [her] son”.

The mother-of-four’s son took his life in January last year after escaping hospital while on suicide watch.

• In a tweet after his death she said: “Been living as an undead night creature since. He was the love of my life, the lamp of my soul.

“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.”

‘We owe her a great debt’

Brendan Courtney, an Irish television presenter, said in a tribute: “I am so deeply saddened to hear that Sinéad has died. A human who helped the world see things differently at a personal cost. We owe her a great debt for helping drag Ireland out of a grim past and making it relevant on the world stage. RIP.”

• O’Connor changed her name to Shuhada’ Sadaqat in 2018 when she converted to Islam.

She was born on Dec 8 1966 and had spoken about her traumatic childhood at the hands of her physically and sexually abusive mother.

Placed in corrective school aged 15 after spates of theft, O’Connor’s musical talent was spotted by one of the nuns at Grianán Training Centre, in Dublin, who bought her a guitar and pushed her to have lessons.

In March she was presented with the inaugural award for Classic Irish Album at the RTÉ Choice Music Awards.

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”.

She said: “You’re very welcome in Ireland. I love you very much and I wish you happiness.”

O’Connor is survived by her three remaining children.

Source: The Telegraph