Marriage details under wraps Civil speculation

A spokeswoman for Georgina Ahern and Nicky Byrne would not comment on reports that the couple would marry in the registry office…

A spokeswoman for Georgina Ahern and Nicky Byrne would not comment on reports that the couple would marry in the registry office in Dublin before their church wedding in France next weekend.

There have been conflicting reports about the couple's plans, with the Evening Herald claiming yesterday they would hold a civil ceremony next week in Dublin. A report in the Sunday World some weeks ago suggested they had already married in a civil ceremony in Dublin.

The couple's spokeswoman would state only that they would be complying with French law. They are required by the law in France to marry in a civil ceremony before their church wedding. As the couple are believed to have planned only a church wedding in France, this would suggest an Irish civil ceremony is necessary. However, it is open to them to seek a waiver from the requirement in French law that couples should be resident in the country for 30 days before seeking to marry there in a civil ceremony. Usually, couples must also wait an additional 10 days for administrative purposes.

A spokesman for the Government in Dublin said it never commented on the personal life of the Taoiseach.

Arthur Beesley

Arthur Beesley

Arthur Beesley is Current Affairs Editor of The Irish Times