The Cranberries’ Dolores O’Riordan dead at 46 in Park Lane hotel

The Cranberries singer Dolores O’Riordan was found dead at a hotel on London’s Park Lane, it has been confirmed.

The musician was in the capital for a recording session when she died  at the suddenly at the age of 46.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “Police in Westminster are dealing with a sudden death.

“Officers were called at 09.05hrs on Monday, 15 January to a hotel in Park Lane, W1.

“A woman in her mid 40s was pronounced dead at the scene.

“At this early stage the death is being treated as unexplained.

“Inquiries continue. ”

The singer, from Friarstown, Kilmallock, Co Limerick, was renowned for her distinctive singing voice and the band enjoyed huge success in the 1990s with tracks including Zombie and Linger.

The parish priest from her home town has confirmed her funeral will take place in Ireland, where she will be buried.

Her last post on Twitter, on January 3, said she was travelling to Ireland.

Fr James Walton, parish priest at Ballybricken & Bohermore Parish, said: “I only found out this afternoon. Her family is very devastated and upset.

“The suddenness of her death has been a shock. I met Dolores two or three times when she was home visiting family. She was a lovely lady.

“Her family are still waiting for more details to come from London about her death.

“The plan is for her to be buried here at home. When that will be will depend on when her body is released.”

“We offer our sincere condolences to their family at this difficult time.

“Team members acted swiftly to alert the Metropolitan Police and we are co-operating fully with their investigation.

“All further enquiries should be directed to the police.”

O’Riordan’s publicist confirmed her death, saying: “”The lead singer with the Irish band The Cranberries, was in London for a short recording session. No further details are available at this time.

“Family members are devastated to hear the breaking news and have requested privacy at this very difficult time.”

In May 2017 The Cranberries cancelled a string of shows after O’Riordan, who had bipolar disorder, was instructed by her doctors to stop working for a month for medical reasons associated with a back problem.

A further set of shows in North America, due to take place in September and October, were cancelled in July.

On December 20 O’Riordan tweeted from the band’s official account, writing: “Hi All, Dolores here. Feeling good! I did my first bit of gigging in months at the weekend, performed a few songs at the Billboard annual staff holiday party in New York with the house band.

“Really enjoyed it! Happy Christmas to all our fans!! Xo”

In February 2016 O’Riordan said she would use “music, dancing and performing to improve her mental health” after avoiding a criminal conviction for assault at an airport.

She was ordered to pay 6,000 euro to charity for headbutting, kicking, hitting and spitting on police officers following an alleged air rage incident.

The singer had previously admitted three assaults and obstructing a garda after being taken off an Aer Lingus flight from New York’s JFK to Ireland on November 10 2014.

Medical reports produced for the trial at Ennis District Court revealed she had been suffering from mania, mental illness and severely impaired judgment at the time of the incident, and that she remembered nothing about it.

O’Riordan was mother to son Taylor and daughters Molly and Dakota.

President of Ireland Michael D Higgins led tributes to the singer, saying: “It is with great sadness that I have learned of the death of Dolores O’Riordan, musician, singer and songwriter.

“Dolores O’Riordan and The Cranberries had an immense influence on rock and pop music in Ireland and internationally.

“I recall with fondness the late Limerick TD Jim Kemmy’s introduction of her and The Cranberries to me, and the pride he and so many others took in their successes.

“To all those who follow and support Irish music, Irish musicians and the performing arts her death will be a big loss.”

O’Riordan joined the band in 1989 when she was just 18, alongside, guitarist Noel Hogan, bassist Mike Hogan, and drummer Fergal Lawler.

The band went on hiatus between 2003 and 2009, when O’Riordan embarked on a solo career.

Their most recent record was released in April 2017.