Northern Ireland

Sinn Féin MLA Fra McCann marries long term partner after 39 years

Sinn Fein assembly member Fra McCann married long term partner, Janette Leckey at St Peter's Cathedral on Monday night. The couple have been together for 39 years
Sinn Fein assembly member Fra McCann married long term partner, Janette Leckey at St Peter's Cathedral on Monday night. The couple have been together for 39 years Sinn Fein assembly member Fra McCann married long term partner, Janette Leckey at St Peter's Cathedral on Monday night. The couple have been together for 39 years

Sinn Féin assembly member Fra McCann has spoken of his joy after he married his long term partner.

The 67-year-old, an MLA for west Belfast, married Janette Leckey on Monday night at St Peter's Cathedral on the Falls Road.

The couple, who have been together for 39 years, first met at a function at Divis Community Centre and began dating.

Ten days ago, the pair decided it was time to get married and initiated plans to organise their wedding in secret.

At St Peter's they were joined by only a few family members, including Janette's 80-year-old mother, Jean.

One hour before the service, the couple told other family and friends who were said to have been "over the moon" for the pair.

The couple were then married by Fr Brian Watters.

Posting on social media afterwards, Mr McCann wrote: "After 10 days of intensive negotiations and after 39 years of partnership Janette and myself finally got married.

"It was the secret of the year, even bigger than the escape from the cages".

Speaking to the Irish News yesterday, Mr McCann said only five people had been in on the secret.

"It is something we have been talking about for a while," he said.

"We mutually believed that the time was right and we are not getting any younger.

"I know her mother had been keen after all these years so we had discussions with Fr Brian.

"Our family all live around us and none of them had an idea that this was happening".

Mr McCann said it felt "strange" to marry Janette, who is 60 and works with disabled children, however "we knew at some stage we would consider it all".

"The only thing I am really surprised at is we had been able to keep it a secret," he said.

The wedding comes 16 months after Mr McCann was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer.

Yesterday, the 67-year-old had an appointment with his consultant who he said was "happy" with his condition.

The west Belfast MLA said the medical team looking after him had been "outstanding".

"The medication they have me on is keeping the cancer at bay," he said.

"I feel ok. I am happy. There have been some difficulties with side effects but that is just part of being ill.

"The medical people, the consultant, the doctors, the nurses have been absolutely wonderful. They have been outstanding".

Mr McCann said he and Janette will celebrate their new union when Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.

"We enjoy each other's company," he said.

"We enjoy our lives together and we are happy.

"You take each day as it comes. We have been together 39 years in August and that in itself is a huge blessing."