Sinead O’Connor has announced the death of her 17 year-old son Shane.
The 55-year-old musician shared in a heartbreaking tweet: “My beautiful son, Nevi’im Nesta Ali Shane O’Connor, the very light of my life, decided to end his earthly struggle today and is now with God.
“May he rest in peace and may no one follow his example. My baby. I love you so much. Please be at peace.”
The teen had been missing since Thursday, with police launching an appeal to help find him.
Amid the search, Sinead took to Twitter and pleaded with her lookalike son to contact her.
She tweeted: “Shane, your life is precious. God didn’t chisel that beautiful smile on your beautiful face for nothing.
“My world would collapse without you. You are my heart. Please don’t stop it from beating. Please don’t harm yourself. Go to the Gardai and let’s get you to hospital.
“This is a message for my son, Shane. Shane, it’s not funny any more all this going missing. You are scaring the crap out of me. Could you please do the right thing and present yourself at a Gardai station. If you are with Shane please call the Gardai for his safety”.
Shane was last seen in Tallaght, South Dublin, on Friday.
The appeal to find the missing teen was renewed on Friday, with a spokesperson for the Gardai reporting in a statement: “He is 5ft 6 ins, with short brown hair and blue eyes.
“When last seen, he was wearing a black hoodie with a print design dark tracksuit pants, a wine coloured T-shirt and runners.”
Today police confirmed that the search for Shane had been called off.
“Following the recovery of a body in the Bray area of Wicklow on Friday, 7th January 2022, a Missing Person Appeal in respect of Shane O’Connor, 17 years, has been stood down,” a spokesperson said.
Sinead, who changed her name to Shuhada’ Davitt in 2018, tweeted a Bob Marley song which she dedicated to Shane.
The tragic teen is the son of Sinead and musician Donal Lunny, 74. Shane was one of Sinead’s four children Mum Sinead begged her son to make himself known
The couple split shortly after Shane was born in 2004.
The Nothing Compares 2 U singer has been married four times in total and has four children.
She is also mum to son Jake Reynolds with her first husband John Reynolds, daughter Rosin Waters who she shares with Irish journalist John Waters and youngest child Yeshua Francis Neil Bonadio, who she welcomed during her relationship with Frank Bonadio in 2006.
Sinead tweeted: “Any spare prayers out there, pls stick one in for my son, Shane. The very light of my life,” she wrote, before adding: “Hideous day from hell.”
Shane went missing from his Dublin home when he was 14-years-old in 2019.
He was later discovered safe and well, but a frantic Sinead tweeted at the time: “My sweet 14-year-old son has been going missing a lot and is currently missing for the last two days.
“If you are a parent in whose house he has been staying or is staying, please call Dundrum Gardai. Not calling them is not helping him.”
After announcing Shane’s death this morning, Sinead was sent supportive messages from fans and celebrity friends.
Former Pogues member Cáit O’Riordan tweeted: “I’m so sorry Sinead”.
Shane MacGowan also paid tribute to Shane on his official Twitter page.
Tweets from the former Pogues singer’s social media read: “Sinead you have always been there for me and for so many people, you have been a comfort & a soul who is not afraid to feel the pain of the suffering.
“You have always tried to heal & help. I pray that you can be comforted & find strength, healing & peace in your own sorrow & loss.
“He was a beautiful boy and I loved him. I pray that he can be at peace and also be able to stay connected with you. Love Shane.”
*If you’re struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email jo@samaritans.org or visit their site to find your local branch
So very sorry for the loss of her Shane. I pray he is at peace and reconnected to any loved ones gone before him. Prayers and condolences to his mom and all who are grieving. God Bless,,.
So sad RIP big guy