Sound of silence Sinead O'Connor vows to never perform again after death of son Shane

Sinead O’Connor has said that she will never perform live again after the death of her teenage son Shane last month.

The 17-year-old went missing from hospital while on suicide watch and was found dead in Bray a few days later.

And the Nothing Compares 2 U singer has been left heartbroken since her son’s death, paying tribute to “the light of [her] life” online in recent weeks.

In a Twitter update on Saturday, Sinead told her followers that she doesn’t plan to perform ever again.

Sharing a link to an Irish lament, she wrote: “Just to say, suggestions there’ll be any performances this year or next year or ever again are erroneous. There will never be anything to sing about again. #DropsMike.”

Her fans quickly showed their support and extended their condolences to the grieving mother.

One person said: “Never performing again is okay. Whatever others suggest. It's your life, your decision. Do something that feels right to you. Doing nothing is also okay...”

Another wrote: “Sinead if you never perform again, you have accomplished a lifetime of work You will always be remembered for the great woman who is loving, courageous, strong and have been there for those in need. I'm so sorry for your pain, it’s difficult to see someone hurt that you love.”

While a third added: “I am so sorry to read that. But I respect your choice. Thanks for all these years of music. You saved my life, thanks to you and your voice. Telling you to go live on stage will be selfish. Do what you think will be right. Hugs from Italy.”

A fourth person asked others not to offer unsolicited advice to Sinead about how to handle her grief, which the singer retweeted.

The tweet read: “Bereaved parents don’t need advice. We just need people to witness our pain and not try to fix it. It’s unfixable.

“Please don’t offer advice to Sinead. It’s not helpful, and actually causes more pain.”