Police Say Sinead O'Connor Found Safe, No Details Released

But her blunt-spoken manner often drew criticism, especially in the United States.

In 1990, some U.S radio stations refused to play her music after she banned the “Star-Spangled Banner” from her show in New Jersey. An outspoken critic of the Roman Catholic Church over the way it handled sexual abuse by clergy, she drew intense criticism in 1992 when she ripped up a picture of Pope John Paul II on “Saturday Night Live.”

Over the years O’Connor has voiced support for other young female performers facing intense public scrutiny, including Britney Spears and Miley Cyrus.

O’Connor, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder more than a decade ago, has spoken of her mental health problems. She told Oprah Winfrey in 2007 that before her diagnosis she had struggled with thoughts of suicide and overwhelming fear. She said at the time that medication had helped her find more balance, but “it’s a work in progress.”

In 2012, O’Connor she cancelled a planned tour, saying she her doctor had told her to rest after a “very serious breakdown.”

O’Connor, who has been married four times and has four children, signed a deal in 2014 to write a memoir.