Westmeath director of Wax Museum apologises as Sinéad O'Connor figure pulled

Westmeath man Paddy Dunning, the director of the National Wax Museum, has apologised to the family of Sinéad O'Connor and pulled the newly unveiled waxwork of the late singer from the museum.

Dunning also owns Grouse Lodge Studios in Rosemount.

The wax figure generated harsh criticism from Sinéad O'Connor's family, friends, and fans.

Sinéad's brother John O'Connor expressed his shock, saying that it did not look like his sister "at all" and was "hideous".

During an interview on Liveline today, Paddy Dunning said that the figure was delivered to the museum the night before, and that "we didn't actually get to see the figure," before the unveiling.

Dunning said that he "deeply regrets" upsetting members of Sinéad's family and has expressed his apologies to them.

"I had to take the decision to cancel the statue," Dunning explained. "And we'll go again. We'll remodel, and we have to do better."

The National Wax Museum, in a statement posted on their Facebook, promised to launch "a new project to create a more accurate representation" of the singer, and acknowledged that "the current representation did not meet our high standards or the expectations of Sinéad's devoted fans."

"We are committed to creating a new wax figure that better reflects Sinéad O'Connor's true spirit and iconic image. Our team of skilled artists will begin this project immediately, ensuring that every detail is meticulously crafted to celebrate her legacy appropriately."