For what it is worth I had a chance to talk with Vini at the Komedia back in 2005. He recognised a fellow Northern Monkey (admittedly I'm from Cheshire) by my accent while signing CD's before the performance and I said the last time I had seen him was in Manchester with Peter Hook playing bass...
Like many people in that part of Manchester he is a First Generation Irish immigrant, the clue being in his Surname... WTF has that got to do with his music of course?
Oh dear - a 'rock guitarist'? Do you mean the million notes an hour noodlers that try to out **** one another?
My personal choice of guitarists are two Irish Blokes, very different styles but both hugely talented.
Both of whom I have been privileged to see play.
One sadly no longer with...