Northern Ireland

Van Morrison describes relief at end of divorce proceedings

Van Morrison announced the news of his divorce over the weekend. Picture by Yui Mok/PA
Van Morrison announced the news of his divorce over the weekend. Picture by Yui Mok/PA Van Morrison announced the news of his divorce over the weekend. Picture by Yui Mok/PA

VAN Morrison has described his "relief" at the conclusion of divorce proceedings with former Miss Ireland Michelle Rocca.

The singer from east Belfast said he has faced a "storm over the past eight years".

The 72-year-old confirmed in a statement that he had been granted the divorce in Dublin last week.

"At my age, I have found it to be a hugely wearying, protracted experience and I’m relieved that it has finally reached a conclusion," he wrote.

"I’d like to thank my family and close friends for providing respite from the storm over the past eight years.

"You know who you are and I’m eternally grateful."

No details about the divorce settlement between the song-writer and Ms Rocca, his second wife, have been made public.

They met in the early 1990s at a dinner party in Leixlip Castle and were married soon after.

Ms Rocca, who was crowned Miss Ireland in 1980, appeared on the covers of two of Morrison's albums, No Prima Donna in 1994 and Days Like This the following year.

The couple have two children together, daughter Aibhe (12) and son Ivan (10).

They were last photographed together in public in June 2016 in Belfast when they attended the funeral of the singer's mother Violet in the Bloomfield area of the city.

Van Morrison was previously married to Janet 'Planet' Rigsbee and they had one daughter together.

Michelle Rocca and Van Morrison met in the early 1990s
Michelle Rocca and Van Morrison met in the early 1990s Michelle Rocca and Van Morrison met in the early 1990s