Sinead O'Connor has spoken out in anticipation of "possible abuse by certain media people" over the republican theme of her new single. Ms O'Connor said that This Is a Rebel Song calls for the loyalist people of Northern Ireland to unite the six counties with the Republic so that "glorious love" can be done.
"There is a war going on in our country and many act like there is not . . . We're supposed to act like it isn't there," a statement from the singer read. "But there is no shame in peacefully saying we want our country united."
Ms O Connor told The Irish Times that she had released the statement because of possible media reaction to an interview she has given to the RTE Guide. "What happens in Ireland is that what I say gets abused and misinterpreted," she said. The Irish media were "the worst in the world" she said, "worse even than the British".
She did not want to deny the song was a republican song. "It is, but it is a love song also," she said.