Celebs (apart from the obvious) Welcome Suu Kyi to Dublin

Burma's pro-democracy leader visited Ireland yesterday to accept Amnesty International's Ambassador of Conscience Award. But all anyone wants to talk about is Sinead O'Connor.

In short, Sinead was asked to perform for Aung San Suu Kyi last night, but was asked not to make it all about her. That was a mistake, 'cause she's only gone and made it all about her.

Speaking on her official website yesterday, Sinead posted a statement chronicling how Amnesty's executive director Colm O'Gorman asked her to sing at the event, but tentatively added that the charity had some "concerns".

The statement reads: "He stated that he had been asked to tell me that 'she is the star of the show'. Meaning the lovely lady from Burma… what he meant was that they would like me to come and sing but not to open my mouth about anything or say or do wear anything controversial… It seems a little odd to me that an event which is supposed to celebrate women's freedom should be used as an opportunity to prophylactically silence a female artist, while at the same time exploiting her international fame and her talent. Hat I attended the event I would have done or said nothing other than kiss the nice lady's face."

At this point, one could say she had a point. Then the point of no return was past, and then merrily trod on a few times. Yes, she took to Twitter.

"So Geldof and Bozo, u pair of lily livered cowards. Next time u want to insult me Do it to my face and dont evilly send... [director of Amnesty International Ireland] Colm O'Gorman to do it."

"There is no such thing as freedom of speech for women in Ireland on this day, when the nice lady from Burma is being celebrated by those who... have attempted to gag a female artist, while at the same time exploiting her singing abilities."

"I pay my taxes in Ireland Bozo."

But back to 'the star of the show'. When accepting her award, Suu Kyi said: "I have been welcomed to Ireland as if I belonged to you. You have stood by us in our times of troubles. These troubles are not yet all over, and I am confident that you will continue to stand with us."

She also added that the British often referred to the Burmese as "the Irish of the east" due to our rebelliousness and said she felt "very proud" tonight to be "your eastern counterpart".

Also in attendance: Roger Moore, Vanessa Redgrave, Joely Richardson, Damien Rice, Neil Jordan, Paul McGuinness, Liam O'Maonlai, and more...

Story by Sheena McGinley | 10:08 | Tuesday 19th June 2012 | Gossip

Comments

ShankillDublin

Poor Sinéad. The event was not to "celebrate women's freedom", it was about the freedom of one woman and the continuing fight to end a vicious military dictatorship. O'Gorman might have been silly in how he approached the issue - shouldn't have asked her at all - but her reaction and silly attack on Geldof and Bono shows that she is a little, er, unbalanced. She also said she wanted to "kiss the lady". Jaysus!

Posted 10:50 | Tue 19th Jun 2012
Aine

She has a point but has executed in the wrong way, they're not trying to censor her, they're trying to make her look less unhinged than she really is. She's not well.

Posted 11:11 | Tue 19th Jun 2012
kellier

Sinead may be as mad as a box of frogs, but love calling him "bozo" he will be henceforth ever known as this in my household, it has a nicer ring to it than that "knob"

Posted 12:11 | Tue 19th Jun 2012

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