Pogues guitarist Phil Chevron has passed away following a long battle with cancer.

The talented and much loved musician died at around midday today.

Mr Chevron was last seen publicly in August for a fundraiser testimonial which saw Aidan Gillen and writer Roddy Doyle join 15 act to pay tribute to The Pogues’ guitarist.

Others acts who took part in the benefit concert included Horslips, Gavin Friday, Paul Brady and Declan O'Rourke.

Shane MacGowan also performed.

Chevron (56), whose real name is Philip Ryan, suffered from a recurrence of head and neck cancer.

He was first diagnosed with throat cancer in the summer of 2007 and had been undergoing treatment since.

The Pogues’ management are currently contacting the musician’s band members as well as his friends on behalf of the family, to inform them of the sad news.

Plans are being put in place for a memorial service, but no date has been set at this time.

Chevron grew up in Santry, Dublin, and was regarded as a pivotal figure in the Irish music scene as a member of Irish punk pioneers The Radiators From Space.

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Their 1979 album Ghostown is regarded as landmark Irish album.

Chevron went on to join The Pogues as a full time member in 1984 and wrote some of their greatest songs including Thousands are Sailing.

But he influenced writers as well as musicians.

Roddy Doyle and Joseph O'Connor were among the big names who took part in a testimonial concert in honour of the 55-year-old during the summer.

Speaking at the time, Joseph O'Connor, the author of the acclaimed number one bestseller 'Star Of the Sea' said that while he had never met Chevron, he considered him a hero and said a song he penned for the Radiators 'Faithful Departed'- from their 1979 'Ghostown'-album summed up his childhood growing up in the Ireland.

"Philip Chevron is one of the greatest Irish songwriters of all time, certainly the best of my generation, an artist of a unique and absolutely compelling sensibility.

"Ever since my teens, his work has meant a great deal to me. I have enormous admiration for his achievements. His song 'Faithful Departed' sums up everything about growing up in the Ireland of my childhood. Then there's his magnificent writing on the Radiators 'Ghost Town' album.

"Not to mention everything he's done with The Pogues. I have never met Philip but I feel I've known him since I was 15. To any Irish person of my age who loves music, Philip is nothing less than a hero," Joseph O'Connor told the Herald.

Ken Sweeney and Laura Butler

Irish Independent