Sinead O'Connor's Past Suicide Attempt Helps Cops in Search

When Sinead O'Connor was reported missing cops focused their search on hotels, based on her recent history with suicide attempts.

TMZ obtained police scanner audio of cops in Wilmette, IL responding to a dispatcher telling them to check the local Courtyard Marriott for the "missing suicidal subject."

It's clear in the audio cops were already aware of O'Connor's suicide attempt back in November ... in a Dublin hotel.

As we reported, police eventually found Sinead Monday afternoon, safe in a hotel.