;D

Irish councillor unhappy at Oasis invite to honour roots

Infamous Oasis hellraisers the Gallagher brothers have been accorded a civic reception by a council in the Republic that wants to honour their Irish roots.

Noel and Liam, notorious for their arguments, would have been impressed with the heated debate that unfolded at Mayo County Council over whether or not to extend the invitation.

In over a century, only 10 such receptions have been formally accorded, including one to All-Ireland winning Carnacon Ladies GAA Club in 2003.

And councillors backed the proposal by Ballina-based Fine Gael councillor Michelle Mulherrin to invite Mancunians Noel and Liam.

The council will now make contact with the brothers and see if they will accept the invitation to the reception, which involves an audience and drinks with all councillors.

Oasis are playing Slane Castle on June 20 which could offer an opportune window in their hectic touring schedule.

Cllr Mulherrin described the brothers, whose mother is a native of Charlestown in Co Mayo, as "the fulfilment of the Irish emigrant dream".

"The Gallagher brothers have won 34 international music awards and it's only right that we should honour them here in Mayo . . . because they always acknowledge their Irish heritage and Charlestown," the councillor said.

Both men visited Charlestown on a regular basis while their grandmother was alive and made one celebrated trip in 1997 when Oasis were at the height of their fame.

But Fianna Fail councillor Johnnie O'Malley questioned the precedent set by a civic reception for the brothers, who were often the centre of negative media attention for their rock and roll life styles.

One of the brothers lost four teeth in an incident on a German tour, Mr O'Malley said.