Court permits model togoaheadwithher humanist marriage
A GLAMOUR model and international footballer can go ahead with their humanist marriage later this week, the Court of Appeal has directed.
Senior judges gave interim authority for Laura Lacole and Eunan O’Kane to have a legally recognised wedding in Co Antrim conducted by a celebrant of their choice.
But they have still to decide on a bid to overturn a ruling that the celebrity couple faced discrimination based on their belief.
Appeals being mounted by Attorney General John Larkin QC and a Stormont department were adjourned until September.
It means the British Humanist Association’s head of ceremonies can solemnise the Belfast woman’s marriage to the Republic of Ireland midfielder on Thursday.
Outside court Ms Lacole’s solicitor, Ciaran Moynagh, said: “This is a good result for Laura and Eunan, and a first for Northern Ireland.”
Under current law a couple seeking such a wedding must also have a separate civil regis- tration for it to be officially acknowledged.
The same situation applies in England and Wales, but not in Scotland or the Republic of Ireland.
Earlier this month Ms Lacole won a landmark High Court challenge against the refusal to grant the ceremony official status.
A judge held the marriage was a manifestation of Ms Lacole’s beliefs, and that she was denied equal treatment to that given to religious couples. He ordered the granting of temporary authorisation for a BHA celebrant to perform a legally valid and binding wedding.
But just days before the event, the Attorney General urged a panel of three appeal judges to reverse the verdict.
“It’s a hugely important issue which has all kinds of ramifications,” Mr Larkin submitted.
He argued that no breach of the European Convention on Human Rights had occurred in a case where the 2003 Marriage Order includes provisions for the solemnisation of civil marriage.
Adjourning the appeal until after the summer recess, Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan directed the local registration authority to appoint British Humanist Association celebrant Isobel Russo to solemnise the wedding on a without prejudice basis.
Mr Moynagh added: “Importantly for all other humanist couples, the case will return to the Court of Appeal in September for further hearing on the original discrimination and human rights arguments.”