|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ireland's top rock awards were rocked by a political row. The big night in Belfast hosted by glamour girl Ulrika Johnston was soured by Ireland's ugliest man.
Shane McGowan, a rock star with an alcoholic past, chose the glittering Heineken Hot Press awards ceremony to make his own viewpoints known. As he collected his award in the Europa Hotel he paid tribute to both Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness. And later, off camera and out of earshot of the star-studded audience, he eulogised multiple murderer Dominic McGlinchey, the former leader of the INLA. Two years ago McGlinchey was gunned down in Drogheda. He was a renowned terrorist who murdered dozens of people in a bloody reign of terror.
And McGowan sparked a walkout among those attending the rock awards when he described Mad Dog McGlinchey as one of his heroes.
The cream of Irish rock and pop turned out in force for the annual Heineken Hotpress Awards, held in the BBC studios in Belfast on Thursday night. Among those in attendance were U2's Bono and Adam Clayton, Ronan Keating, and Sinead O'Connor. While the show was once again a roaring success for the organisers, it was inevitable that the political talks at Stormont would come into play during the acceptance speeches.
U2 won two awards, for Best Live Act and Best Band, and lead singer Bono quipped, "What's the difference between Ian Paisley and George Michael? George Michael will speak to anyone!"