National: Legendary Irish singer-songwriter Shane McGowan, of the Pogues, has died

Legendary Irish singer-songwriter and Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan has died aged 65.

He had been ill for some time.

Born in Kent, Shane MacGowan spent much of his childhood with his mother's family in Tipperary, where he grew up immersed in folk and traditional music.

From the 1980s, he lead the Irish punk band The Pogues who are best known for their hit festive song Fairytale Of New York which was released in 1987.