Eloise HorsfieldA GAY couple have accused a wedding planner of vanishing owing them 2,000 euros.
Thomas Cahalan, 49, and Nicholas Nelson, 52, called in police over claims that Malcolm McClean – who claims to be a reverend – pocketed their cash without fulfilling his obligations.
The Irish couple claim McClean’s company Gay Weddings Nerja failed to organise the Madrid leg of their nuptials in 2009.
It came after ‘Rev Father McClean’ organised a ceremonial wedding for the couple in Sevilla. But the legal service in Madrid never took place.
“We obviously wouldn’t have done this unless we were going to be legally married in Spain,” Cahalan told the Olive Press.
“He failed to complete his contractual obligations and yet he had the chutzpah to use our celebration photo on his website.
The pair – who last year became one of Ireland’s first gay couples to enter a Civil Partnership – are not the only ones owed money.
Elaine Walker, an Interfaith Minister, claims McClean owes her 600 euros for conducting the service, while musician Matt McGirk claims he is owed 400 euros.
“He told me he had been mugged and all the money had been stolen including the money from the wedding couple,” said Walker, who lived in Andalucia for seven years.
“I paid for his evening meal and he reassured me I would be paid within the month.
“I kept trying for several months but his mobile was disconnected and my emails were not answered,” she added.
McGirk, 41, from Fuengirola added: “He told us all the same story, that he had been mugged. He is well out of order.”
Another gay English couple also claim they are owed money over a similar case.
But they have asked to remain anonymous as they are expecting to receive ‘a major refund shortly’.
The Olive Press was unable to contact McClean but in an email sent to the anonymous couple he said: “I have cooperated fully with the police and the authorities and there is no criminal case to answer.”
Dear Sirs – whilst your journalists may feel that using the word “bent” and “gay” as you headline for this story on the front page of your newspaper is wiity, I can assure you that I find it offensive. Many “straight” friends also feel this.
I sincerely hope that you will issue a full apology (in pink) in your next edition.
The story is actually a very old one too (2009 I believe) – one assumes you are just trying sensationalist headline journalism.
I look forward to your response.
I had not looked at the print edition of the paper. After having read your comment above, I immediately had a quick scan of the front page. I am not quite sure how this even made the front page. But I do wonder what sort of fool thought that it was ok to print this edition with that on the front!!?? It´s just unbelievable!!
It is perhaps best if Snrs Cahalan and Nelson get married in a more 21st Century country. “Caveman” Rajoy is against the concept of same-sex marriages.
My understanding is that the disappointment over the Civil Ceremony dates back to 2009, but that Messers Cahalan and Nelson, having exhausted all private channels, went to the police and issued press releases earlier in March, which accounts for the Olive Tree interest. It is MY understanding that a Civil Marriage in Spain is all but IMPOSSIBLE if the couple have not been resident (enpadronado) for at least two years, or there is no ‘over-riding’ reason – like a parent resident in Spain who cannot travel. It is always easier to have a civil ceremony where the couple live, and then come to Spain for a ‘blessing’ that everyone believes has been the couples ‘marriage’.
the problem is..Spain was corrupt, between 2000, maybe before that!! …and it was OHH not a problem!!…the sermons come over, they are lead to believe they are legal…and they are not!!! dont sue the person that was lead to believe he was legal..sue the person that promised this…think he may even be in jail now…because of the corruption..so Olive Express…go to the source of this…could be a bigger story…that putting a very nice man..that has gave them back EVERYTHING!!…all his fees etc…and I do know this!!…so the person behind this is a money grabbing thief…so get a life…this man is doing my daughters wedding next year and we cant wait!!