Lord Mayor opens book of condolences for Sinead O'Connor

The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Kieran McCarthy has opened a book of condolences for Sinéad O'Connor in City Hall today. The singer and activist died at the age of 56 on Wednesday.

The Lord Mayor said: “On behalf of the people of Cork, I extend my sincere condolences to Sinéad's family and friends.

“Not only was Sinéad's voice stunning and her lyrics thought provoking, she led a revolution in the importance of speaking up about activism, trauma and mental health and spiritualism.

“She has changed people's lives. Today, a cultural icon of Ireland has passed away and has left a void in many of our hearts. Sinéad, we will always remember you, rest in peace."

The book of condolences will be available for signing by members of the public will be open from Monday to Friday, 9am until 5pm for a period of two weeks.

The Met Police in London have said the singer was found unresponsive at a home in south-east London and her death is not being treated as suspicious.

In a statement, police said: "Police were called at 11.18am on Wednesday, July 26 to reports of an unresponsive woman in the SE24 area.

"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."

Tributes have been pouring in for the musician, led by Irish President Michael D. Higgins who spoke of her “her extraordinarily beautiful, unique voice.”

In a statement, he said: “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.

“May her spirit find the peace she sought in so many different ways.”