Determined couple ‘tie the knot’ in the nick of time

Sean Lynn and Rosemarie McNicholl had planned their ‘big day’ for April but Prime Minister Boris Johnston’s announcement last Monday stopping all public gatherings left them in a bit of a panic.

Rosemarie, a freelance photographer, was on the ball the following day to arrange a new date.

After contacting council officials in Derry on Tuesday morning - and saying a Novena to St Anthony - it emerged that she could still get married before midnight.

According to a Northern Ireland Ambulance Service Facebook post they phoned the local priest and told him of their plight.

“As the papers and everything else were already in order, he gave them the best news possible, saying that he could do it BUT it would have to be done this evening.”

Rosemarie immediately contacted Sean who it turned out was due to be on a shift at the time.

But thanks to ambulance control and duty manager, Alan McAuley, he was allowed off early to “scrub up” for the ceremony.

With just a few family members in attendance, the couple were married in the sacristy of St Columba’s Church at 8.30pm on Tuesday by Fr Aidan Mullan.

The post continues: “Somewhere in mid Ulster tonight are two very relieved and happy people who have all the good wishes of their friends and colleagues in NIAS to carry with them over the next days and weeks.

“Coronavirus has brought so much doom and gloom about the place it’s great to hear this great story - it rivals Pretty Woman for me. From everyone in NIAS - we wish you both a long, happy and loving life together.”

More than 2,000 people posted congratulations to the couple and expressing delight at such a heart warming story in the midst of the gloom and uncertainty caused by the coronavirus.

One wrote: “Great to hear some happy news in the midst of all this pain and fear.

“Good luck in your future life, stay safe and a huge thank you to Sean and his colleagues for their amazing selfless work!”

Another posted: “What a lovely story. I’m so glad they got to get married even though it wasn’t as they had planned now they have the rest of their lives to live. Good luck to them. Keep safe.”