Julian Gough wins literary award

Gough beat authors such as Buddha Of Surburbia writer Hanif Kureishi to claim the top prize of £15,000. He won it for his timely story The Orphan And The Mob, about an orphan who accidentally urinates on a Fianna Fail minister at an election rally, causing an angry mob to burn down his orphanage.
Mark Lawson, chair of this year's judging panel, explained that the judges were unanimous in their decision: "From a shortlist which included an impressive range of subjects, settings and styles, the judges were unanimous in awarding the first prize to Julian Gough."
"The comedy, energy and originality of both plot and voice set him ahead of the other contenders."
Coming second was Carnegie-winning children's author David Almond for Slog's Dad. He was awarded £3,000 from the Prize, which is now in its second year.
Gough's success in the literary field reflects that of his musical career: he was frontman of Galway-based band Toasted Heretic, who released four albums and gained a top 10 hit in their heyday of the 80s and 90s.