Sinead O'Connor's son passes away

Poor lad has been in turmoil with years. She said on Twitter that he got out of Tallaght hospital when he went missing.

All very sad. A parents worst nightmare.

Tragic loss of a young life. RIP young man

RIP Shane.

Condolences to family and friends.

That's very sad. I can't imagine the pain they all are going through..

R.I.P.

So very sad. RIP young man. Another young life lost to suicide, and unfortunately it’s so common. Heartbreaking for everyone. I’ll never understand it, life is so precious.

Very sad and honestly speculation about the circumstances really inappropriate.

RIP 🙏

Still no articles about it on RTE, Irish Times etc despite Sinead posting the news herself last night.

But the news has been confirmed by Sinead herself.

Had this been an American celebrity, we would already have an article on RTE about it.

There are reports that he was under the supervision of Tulsa. If this is the case, this is a public interest story as there will have to be an inquiry. The Irish media should be reporting on this.

I have experience of a similar situation. A family member commited suicide whilst on a psychiatric ward and on suicide watch.

I know many think that the "threat of lawsuits" is a money grabbing exercise. For some perhaps it is. However I know in my family's instance, that legal action was the only way my Uncle could get answers. It was slightly pre the HSE era, but the MWHB threw up obstacle after obstacle in his effort to understand what happened. The "how" was the answer needed, and that answer could help prevent a similar outcome from recurring for another patient and their family.

My uncle spent years trying to discuss the treatment and management of his daughter and the circumstances that surrounded her taking her life. Not to blame someone, but to try and grasp the "how".

The roadblocks placed in his way? After long struggle and effort on his part changed his mind from needing the "how", to wanting to find out why he was opposed at every turn and to seek at the very least a measure of accountability. That was corporate accountability rather than personal and again, it was in an effort to prevent similar circumstances leading to another bereavement.

Threats of lawsuits should never be made lightly, and in instances such as this tragic loss of a young life? Never without exhausting the alternative means of resolution.

That said? Much like it's predecessors 8n the Health Boards, the HSE still doesn't take responsibility or accountability seriously enough to ensure that a law suit isn't the best way to achieve either.

RIP to young Shane. I hope that his torments are over and that his family and friends can be a support to each other in the grief to come. May his memory be a blessing and a light in times of darkness to come.

Thinking of Sinead, Donal and Shane's siblings, together with his friends. May they all have the support they need and be a support to each other at this sad and tragic time