First divorce granted in Ireland

Ireland's first divorce since a 1995 referendum approved its introduction was granted by the High Court in Dublin even though legislation enacting it does not take effect until next month.

In a private hearing the court ruled that the divorce law derived from the constitution and not legislation. It heard the applicant, an unnamed man who is seriously ill, wanted to regularise his second relationship, and had made provision for his family. His wife did not want to be divorced but did not contest the application. Alan Murdoch