Sinéad O’Connor's brother says wax figure of singer was 'hideous' and 'upsetting'
The Picture: Sinéad Wax Of Of At National The Photos Boal/collins Figure Sam Wax Museum Ireland O'connor
Sinéad O’Connor's brother has described a wax figure of his late sister as “hideous” and “upsetting” for her family on the first anniversary of the singer's death.
The “wax bust” of the legendary musician was unveiled on Thursday at the National Wax Museum of Ireland. However, it received a backlash from the public and the musician’s brother John O’Connor called for it to be removed.
The museum has since said it will be removed from display, stating that "the current representation did not meet our high standards or the expectations of Sinéad’s devoted fans".
It agreed that the figure "does not capture Sinéad’s unique presence and essence as we intended".
Speaking to RTÉ’s Liveline, John O’Connor said the museum should have been in touch with the O’Connor family and that they could be contacted anytime about the matter.
"It looked like something between a mannequin and something out of the Thunderbirds,” Mr O'Connor said.
“If you want people to be involved in that, you can speak to anyone in our family. It was really bad timing, the day before her anniversary. I can only speak for myself, but I am upset enough. It is an unfair representation of my sister.
“The world may have lost a star, but I have lost my sister. It should not have been put there without checking with her family if this is alright”.
Museum owner Paddy Dunning, who first met Sinéad when she was 17 and he was 18, said the team had not had a chance to review the work.
“I know Sinéad," Mr Dunning said. "I’ve known her 40 years, and my heart sunk a bit [when he saw the statue]. There was a whole load of people in the room. We went ahead with the launch.”
He was asked if it was done to get publicity which Mr Dunning denied, saying "the wax museum runs itself without publicity". He apologised profusely for “getting it wrong” and that he “deeply regrets” upsetting people.
Mr Dunning said: “I made a decision to cancel the statue and we will go again, and we will remodel, and we will do better.”
Mr O’Connor thanked him, adding: "If you want people to be involved in that, you can speak to anyone in our family". He accepted Mr Dunning’s apology saying it was “quite reasonable and I appreciate the fact that you have been very upfront”.
Mr O’Connor went on to pay tribute to his sister and said as a therapist he had tried to help her over the years.
Mr O’Connor said that in her later years "she didn’t realise how loved and important” she was to people.
“I deeply regret that she can’t see the amount of love for her,” he said. He praised her fans around the world for the posts they have made online about her, going to her grave every day and leaving flowers and for remembering her the way they do.
Mr O’Connor said he was not speaking on behalf of the rest of his family and was only representing himself. He said he would encourage a campaign to get underway to erect a statue in honour of his late sister.