Irish singers embroiled in a war of words

IRISH singers Sinéad O’Connor and Mary Coughlan were yesterday embroiled in a public war of words.

The row centres on comments and allegations both women are reported to have made about each other, including in mobile phone text messages.

Ms O’Connor also posted a letter on her official website directed at Ms Coughlan, a blues singer.

The row appears to centre around Frank Bonadio, who is the estranged husband of Ms Coughlan, and his current relationship with Ms O’Connor.

The row erupted this week following extensive coverage in the media. This culminated at the weekend with extracts of text messages reportedly sent to Ms Coughlan by Ms O’Connor and letters posted on Ms O’Connor’s website directed at Ms Coughlan.

The text messages contain allegations and strong wording of a personal nature.

In a letter posted on her website, Ms O’Connor said she was responding to comments in the media which she claimed came from Ms Coughlan.

Ms O’Connor said she was using her right to reply.

In the letter, the Dublin singer threatened to take Ms Coughlan to court.

“Be aware Mary, that I am not the one here who has anything to lose. I have already dealt with 24 years of negative publicity and I have no fear of it. Nor any care for what anyone thinks of me.”

Ms O’Connor is believed to have been dating Mr Bonadio since February. Pictures of them together were published in the Irish Mail last Wednesday.

Text messages reportedly from Ms O’Connor were published on Saturday and in detail in several newspapers yesterday.

Both women said they had reported the matter to local gardaí. Ms Coughlan has also reportedly asked her solicitor to get involved.

A garda spokesman yesterday said they would not comment on individual cases.

“We most certainly wouldn’t confirm, deny or otherwise anything in relation to individuals and our dealing with them,” he said. “If a crime is reported to us it will be fully investigated.”

Ms Coughlan married Mr Bonadio in 2002 after 14 years together. They had two children.

Ms O’Connor has married twice, first to musician John Reynolds, with whom she had a son and then to reporter Nick Sommerlad.

She had two other children, one with Irish Times journalist John Waters.