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Oasis in high level briefing with SF chief

By Maureen Coleman
Thursday, 30 October 2008

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Oasis superstars Noel and Liam Gallagher were brought up to speed about the peace process by Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness on board a flight to Belfast yesterday.

The brothers found themselves seated next to the Sinn Fein man on an afternoon flight from London ahead of last night’s Odyssey Arena concert.

Eyewitnesses on the plane said Mr McGuinness seemed to be in deep conversation with the world-famous rockers.

When the flight arrived at George Best Belfast City Airport the Deputy First Minister shook their hands before alighting.

One woman, who did not wish to be named, said she could not believe her eyes when she saw the Gallaghers.

“I went over and got my photograph taken with Liam. He was really lovely but a lot smaller than I imagined,” she said.

The band were then ushered out through an emergency exit at the airport.

Last night a spokesman for Mr McGuinness confirmed that he had met the Gallaghers on board the flight to Belfast and that they had seemed interested in the ongoing Ulster peace process.

“Martin has met the Gallagher brothers before at Heathrow Airport and, yes, he was talking to them again yesterday,” he said. “They seemed genuinely interested in what is going on here and seemed to be pretty knowledgeable about the situation as well.”

The spokesman said that Mr McGuinness liked the band’s music and that his favourite Oasis song was their massive hit anthem Wonderwall. But he said he would not be attending either last night’s or tonight’s shows at the Odyssey due to work commitments.

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tabloid bull - wise up tele....

Posted by trevor | 31.10.08, 03:14 GMT

HeresToYou: Simon and Garfunkel? Wasn't he in that famous Ulster folk duo "Martin and Ian"? Or maybe it was Dr. Hook.

And please, the Gallagher's surely have more gumption than to be brain-washed on a fifty minute flight (tail-wind permitting) flight from Heathrow.

Posted by Attilathehun | 30.10.08, 17:43 GMT

Before his flight took off Marty felt hungry so he went to the Rankin cafe for for a bowl of soup. But that wasn't gonna fill the big lad so he asked for Roll With It. Then he spots the Gallagher brothers drinking Champagne Supernovas. He makes his way over and says: "here Liam, what about ye? I've always been a fan". Liam said: "Nice one man. Come and join us." Big Marty could'nt believe his luck and thought "tonight I'm a Rock n Roll Star." Noel said "Have a cocktail marty. Molotov?". Marty replied: "No thanks. Early start tammara. Ill take a milkshake. Where's the Shakermaker?" Marty finds him and gets a big chocolate one with cream on top. Liam: What's the Story at Stormont man? Marty: A bit Up in the Sky at the the minute Liam. Liam: "Right man, are they gonna Bring It on Down?" Marty: "Hope nat. Theres a few problems. I reckon they will Slide Away though." Liam: "I love peace. Im mad for it. My message would be Don't Look Back in Anger." Marty: "Well I'm Outta Time. Slan".

Posted by BOUTYE | 30.10.08, 17:35 GMT

Aussie: maybe they can write a nice irish song when our country is reunited.

Or something like "God Save Our Gracious King" for Prince William's great-great-great-great-great Grandson who may well be at the helm of a united British Isles.

Posted by mickey | 30.10.08, 16:54 GMT

Can people not read a perfectly innocent story without turning it into a petty political / secterian argument?

Posted by McD | 30.10.08, 15:38 GMT

Bod, Aussie,

You guys typify the sort of people that blight this country on both sides, bringingpolitics into everything. People think this place is great, it is, but its people are the most backward, hateful, racist, sectarian fools i've ever met. How can there there ever be any change with people like this about.
Sometimes I decry the day I was born here. I'm glad the two marches are going ahead on Sunday. The ensuing riot'll show us up to the world as the sad, selfish fools we are!

Posted by Dave | 30.10.08, 15:34 GMT

this country is united the way it is and i hope will be for a long time

Posted by bt | 30.10.08, 15:30 GMT

bod - so ur trying to say that any person that Mr Mcguniess talks to, is going to be Brainwashed and have a negative view on the unionist/loyalist representation? Grow up....!

Posted by phat Tony | 30.10.08, 14:24 GMT

maybe they can write a nice irish song when our country is reunited.

Posted by aussie | 30.10.08, 14:19 GMT

I didn't think martin would be a fan of rock music - seeing as he used to be a member of the American folk duo Simon & Garfunkel. Learn something new every day I suppose.

Posted by HeresToYou | 30.10.08, 14:12 GMT