Serving prisoners Rose Dugdale and Eddie Gallagher marry in Limerick Prison chapel.
A strong security presence is outside Limerick Prison as Republican prisoner Eddie Gallagher arrives from Portlaoise Prison to marry inmate Rose Dugdale in the Limerick Prison chapel.
Eddie Gallagher is serving a twenty year sentence for his part in the kidnapping of Dutch industrialist Tiede Herrema. Rose Dugdale is on a nine year sentence for her part in the £8 million Beit art robbery and helicopter hijack.
Today's wedding here at Limerick Prison is the first in the history of the state of two serving prisoners.
The wedding is was the culmination of a year long fight by the couple for permission to marry. Their initial request was rejected by the then Minister for Justice Patrick Cooney. However the current Minister for Justice Gerry Collins granted permission because the couple have a three year old child Ruairí.
Only four people are allowed to enter the prison to attend the wedding. Ruairí Gallagher is brought by his guardian Betty O'Neill, who is also Rose Dugdale's matron of honour. The groom's brother Patsy Gallagher is best man. The final attendee is the bride and groom’s solicitor Gordon Hayes.
The wedding ceremony is celebrated by Portlaoise Prison chaplain Father James O'Connell. On request of Rose Dugdale part of the mass is conducted in Latin.
Following the ceremony, Betty O'Neill describes the bride and groom’s and wedding attire. She believes the couple had an hour together before they took their vows and a perhaps a few minutes to talk after the ceremony. It is believed the newlyweds had a short wedding breakfast together.
Then Eddie Gallagher left his wife to continue his 20 year sentence in Portlaoise.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 24 January 1978. The reporter is Tom McCaughren.
