Eunan O’Kane and bride to be Laura Lacole
SENIOR judges at the North’s Court of Appeal have ruled that a couple can go ahead with their humanist marriage later this week.
They gave interim authority to Derry-born Republic of Ireland international midfielder Eunan O’Kane and his model bride-to-be Laura Lacole to have a legally-recognised wedding conducted by a celebrant of choice.
But the judges have yet to decide on a bid to overturn a ruling that the couple faced discrimination based on their belief.
It means Humanists UK’s head of ceremonies can solemnise the couple’s wedding at a location in County Antrim on Thursday.
Ms Lacole’s solicitor said afterwards: “This is a good result for Laura and Eunan, and a first for Northern Ireland.”
She won legal recognition on Friday, June 9, for her humanist marriage, following a landmark legal battle.
Until now, humanist weddings were not recognised by law in the North, so couples were also required to have a separate civil marriage ceremony.
The same situation applies in England and Wales, but not in Scotland, or the Republic of Ireland.
However, the judge ruled that this unlawfully denied them equality with religious couples.
He ordered the granting of temporary authorisation for a Humanists UK celebrant to perform a legally valid and binding wedding ceremony.
But Northern Ireland’s attorney general and its Department of Finance are both seeking to reverse the High Court judge’s ruling.
Mr Larkin has backed submissions on behalf of the Stormont department that the case was too significant to rush.
Ms Lacole, who is also vice-chair of Atheist NI, claims she is being discriminated against under the convention’s protection for freedom of belief.
She issued judicial review proceedings against the General Register Office (GRO) for not authorising the marriage.
Her action was also directed at Stormont’s alleged failure to introduce legislation to allow a legally binding wedding event.
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