Sinéad O’Connor apologises for “lashing out” at health services following her son’s death

Sinéad O’Connor has apologised for "lashing" out at Ireland’s health services following her 17-year-old son’s death.

The singer took to Twitter to apologise to Tusla — the Child and Family Agency — for comments she aimed at the organisation followingher son Shane’s death. “Ok, I’m gonna do the right thing here and apologise for my lashing out.

“Tusla are working with very limited resources. They loved shane. They are broken hearted. They are human. I am sorry I have upset them. We are a third world country. It’s not their fault”, she added.

In a follow-up tweet, she elaborated on her claim that Ireland is a “third world country” as well as detailing the scarce resources of the health system in Ireland:

“The issue is.. we are a third world country. We have 12 beds in special care for suicidal teenagers. And no resources to save those who can’t manage life. 128 icu beds in the whole country. Tusla did their best. We all did: and I am deeply sorry to have blamed anyone.

The 17-year-old’s death has been referred to the National Review Panel (NPR) for investigation. Established in 2010, the NRP investigates serious incidents — including the deaths — concerning children and young people in care and /or known to protection services.

Tusla have not issued a response in relation to the death however a spokesperson 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.”

Shane — the son of O’Connor and musician Donal Lunny — was reported missing two days before his body was found on Friday. The teenager left Tallght hospital on Thursday where he was admitted for incidents of serious self-harm.

O’Connor took to social media to condemn the Irish health services and Tusla. The singer was critical of the fact her son had left hospital the day before his body was found.

“How has a seventeen year old traumatised young person, who was on suicide watch, in Tallaght Hospital’s Lynn Ward been able to go missing???” she said.

“Hospital of course so far refusing to take any responsibility. Anything happens to my son on their watch? Lawsuits.”

Sinéad described Shane as “The light of my life. The lamp of my soul. My blue-eyed-baby.”

“You will always be my light,” she added. "We will always be together. No boundary can separate us.”

If you are affected by the issues discussed in this article you can contact Pieta House on 1800 247247, and the Samaritans on 116123 or by emailing [email protected]