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Sinéad O'Connor died of natural causes, coroner confirms

The 56-year-old died in July after being found unresponsive at her London home
Jack Quann
Jack Quann

14.05 9 Jan 2024


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Sinéad O'Connor died of natura...

Sinéad O'Connor died of natural causes, coroner confirms

Jack Quann
Jack Quann

14.05 9 Jan 2024


Share this article


Singer Sinéad O'Connor died of natural causes, a coroner in the UK has confirmed.

The 'Nothing Compares 2 U' singer died in July aged 56, after being found unresponsive at her London home.

No medical cause for her death was given at the time, with a London Coroner's Court saying a post mortem would be conducted and the results could take several weeks.

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The coroner has now confirmed she died of natural causes and said it was no longer investigating her death.

Sinéad O’Connor at the Cambridge Folk Festival, 01-08-2014. Sinéad O’Connor at the Cambridge Folk Festival, 01-08-2014. Image: WENN Rights Ltd / Alamy

The Dubliner was one of the greatest Irish musicians of her generation and was adored by millions of fans around the world.

Her 1990 rendition of 'Nothing Compares 2 U' was a chart topper and earned her three Grammy awards.

The track made her a global star, partly due to its iconic video.

She also hit the headlines when in 1992, she ripped up a picture of Pope John Paul II live on US television.

Seven years later, she was ordained as a priest by a breakaway church in Lourdes.

She was also known for her outspoken views on subjects such as religion, war and feminism.

In a 2015 interview with Newstalk's Tom Dunne, she revealed her pre-gig ritual.

Sinead O'Connor performing at Hiroshima Mon Amour in Torino, Italy, 19-1-20. Sinead O'Connor performing at Hiroshima Mon Amour in Torino, Italy, 19-1-20. Image: Alessandro Bosio / Alamy

Sinéad said she listened to 12 specific songs ahead of any gig to prepare.

"Once I hear the first note of the first song, then I know it's gig time," she said.

As someone who never did a soundcheck, Sinéad said her pre-gig playlist is the most important preparation.

"Rasta music moves me in a way that it uplifts me," she said. "I feel like I’m not going to be on my own... they’re always songs about how God is with these people in terrible circumstances.

"If you're nervous, or you've reason to be frightened, you listen to those tunes. They move you in a way that makes you feel powerful."

Sinéad's Rastafari music included 'Earth’s Rightful Ruler' by Peter Tosh, 'Give Thanks and Praise' by Bob Marley and 'Rastafari' by Buju Banton.

“The Buju Banton tune is the only song I want played at my funeral, whenever that happens,” she added.

Tributes to the singer rolled in from across the globe at the time of her death, with President Michael D Higgins stating his first reaction "was to remember her extraordinarily beautiful, unique voice."

Main image: Sinead O'Connor is seen at the Grammy Awards in New York City, 22-2-89. Image: Associated Press / Alamy 

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