Death of Sinéad O’Connor’s son referred to NRP for investigation

The death of a teenage son of singer Sinéad O’Connor and musician Donal Lunny, a day after he left Tallaght hospital, will be referred to the National Review Panel (NRP) for investigation.

Shane O'Connor (17) is understood to have been admitted to hospital following a number of incidents of serious self-harm, and to have been known to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.

In a series of social media posts Ms O'Connor said she had identified her son's remains and questioned how he had been able to leave the hospital on Thursday. His body was found in the Bray/Shankill area of Dublin on Friday.

Tusla did not issue a statement in relation to the death. A spokeswoman for Tallaght hospital said: “The HSE cannot comment on individual cases when to do so might reveal information in relation to identifiable individuals, breaching the ethical requirement on us to observe our duty of confidentiality.”

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A Garda spokeswoman confirmed a body of a young man had been found and gardaí were “assisting the coroner in preparing a file for an inquest”.

The NRP was established in 2010 to investigate serious incidents, including the deaths, concerning children and young people in care and/or known to child protection services.

Ms O’Connor has three other children, aged between 15 and 33 years. In a tweet Ms O’Connor said “the very light of my life, decided to end his earthly struggle today and is now with God”.

• If you are affected by any issue in this article, Pieta House can be reached at 1800 247247, and the Samaritans on 116123 (free) or by emailing jo@samaritans.ie