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LABOUR TD DOMINIC Hannigan has revealed he got married late last year, travelling to London to wed his partner of over two decades.
The Meath East TD is the first deputy to disclose a same-sex marriage and it comes ahead of a referendum on the issue that is due to take place in May.
“The marriage was just the two of us. Because we were in a civil partnership it was very straightforward, paying four quid and signing some papers,” Hannigan told TheJournal.ie today.
The ceremony took place in London on New Year’s Eve.
Hannigan, 49, has been with his partner, Chris, for over 20 years. He said that the big occasion had been the pair’s civil partnership ceremony in 2013.
“There was no cake or anything. The wedding was a very straightforward exchange of papers. When we had our civil partnership ceremony we did a cake and all that kind of stuff. That was the event if you like.”
Hannigan said he was not tempted to wait and see if the referendum was passed in Ireland saying that “the opportunity arose” and it was “unfortunate that we couldn’t do it here”.
“I would hope that if and when we pass the legislation here it would be easy for anybody in a civil partnership to upgrade to a marriage,” he said.
On Health Minister Leo Varadkar’s decision to go public about his sexuality over the weekend, Hannigan said that he didn’t think the Fine Gael TD had to do it but said it was “excellent” that he had.
“I think it’s an excellent step forward,” he said. ”It’s good in terms of the image it portrays. It sends a good signal out. It’s a positive thing.”
“He’s a very strong role model and it’s good for young people to see that the fact his sexuality isn’t holding him back and I would say he’s done the state some service!”
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No one truly understands the heartbreak but the response of the community has been magnificent.
That special bond between this mother and daughter should be supported in every way possible.
It might help her if she decides to move away and make a new life with her baby, I can’t imagine how much it hurts to be in a place where they should be. Or help pay mortgage etc and not worry financially. No doubt she would give it back in a second to spend one more hour with them.
Ah she’s hardly going move anyway she still has lots family around , say that is very important
It’s heartwarming to see something positive coming from such an awful tragedy…..while nothing will take away their pain and grief hopefully it will at least give them one thing less to worry about for the moment
Money means nothing in a situation like this but fair play to all involved.
Of course not Shane but in the day’s and year’s ahead it will mean a lot. It would be nice for her to have no mortgage or rent to worry about, she’ll have enough to deal with. People want to help her and putting a few quid into an account for her is a way of doing it
It’s not about the money – it is a reflection on how many are/were willing to help you in your time of need. Collections were made by the local community for my own family tragedy and I often look back and cherish the memory that people were there to help. Fair play to all who donated. This story has affected people in all corners of the world- on the DM people from the UK and US were looking to donate also.
We cannot bring them back so this is just a way of sending support. Hard times ahead but hopefully this will help.
Love your surname Mary.
Ta Brian, it’s almost as good as your profile pic ;)
This is probably the worst tragedy I have ever heard of how is that women gonna cope with this when things settle down that’s the scary part
I know it’s too late for this poor family. I can’t stop thinking about them. Slipways at piers everywhere now should be gated off like in that photo so nothing like this can happen again. Very very sad and upsetting.
if ever a ‘go fund me’ was needed; this one is surely it
Glad to see people rallied around. The money won’t replace her family but it will cover their funerals and give her and her little girl some security for now. Such a terrible tragedy.
Woman
The headline says it could happen to anybody yet we don’t hear of people driving off slipways every day.
have your say