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Civil Partnership

Nice day for a... civil partnership

Couples’ joy evident at ceremonies in Dublin today – although they note that they have had to wait “a little too long” for recognition.

ONE OF THE first Irish couples to enter a same-sex civil partnership have said they had to wait perhaps “a little too long” to have their union recognised by the State.

Barry Dignam, who celebrated a civil partnership with Hugh Walsh at the Registry Office on Dublin’s Grand Canal Street this afternoon, said he believed that “the push for civil marriage is not too far behind” this day.

His partner Hugh said that the couple, while one of the first to enter a civil partnership, were simply the two faces whose name was first called. He said their situation was interchangeable with the “thousands of gay couples” who also wanted their unions recognised by the State.

Another couple who entered a civil partnership today, Thomas Calahane and Nicholas Nelson, told RTE’s Six-One that they were relieved that now, should anything happen to the other partner, they would at the very least be recognised as each other’s next-of-kin.

Congratulations to Hugh and Barry who posed happily for pictures for Press Association photographer Niall Carson:

Nice day for a... civil partnership
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  • Civil partnership

    Hugh Walsh, left, and partner Barry Dignam after entering a civil partnership at the Registry Office, Sir Patrick Dunne's Hospital, Grand Canal Street, Dublin. Pic: PA Images/Niall Carson.
  • Civil partnership

  • Civil partnership

  • Civil partnership

  • Civil partnership