Homeless lovers wed in style

Looking forward to a new start

Two homeless lovers - one of them from Manchester - have been given a fairytale wedding in Dublin.

Mancunian, Joanne Smith met Joseph Neeson from Dublin while both were living rough on the streets of the Irish capital.

The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Royston Brady, decided to help them after reading in the local paper about their forthcoming wedding at a register office.

These two had nothing when they started their journey together and this is a fairytale ending. YMCA manager, David Kearny

He made it a day to remember by laying on a reception at his own residence in the city's Mansion House.

He was also expected to tell them before they headed off on honeymoon, that he has arranged a flat for them to live in.

The couple had refused to accept emergency accommodation because Joanne would not leave her dog, Bully.

On Wednesday, they were cheered with wolf whistles and heckles as they were pronounced husband and wife.

The local YMCA clubbed together with two local companies to pay for their wedding outfits as well as a honeymoon in Galway, including first class train tickets and five nights in a hotel.

YMCA operations manager, David Kearny said: "I am delighted to be part of their day.

"It proves that love can conquer all because these two had nothing when they started their journey together and this is a fairytale ending."

Members of Joseph's family from Kimmage, South Dublin, also attended the ceremony, including his parents Joe and Pauline and his older sister Gloria.