Derry couple awarded compensation over ‘sham marriages’ law

A Derry couple have won £24,000 in damages and costs after a European Court ruled that UK law breached their right to marry and enjoy religious freedom.
Judges at Strasbourg’s Court of Human Rights said they had “grave concerns” about the UK law designed to stop sham marriages.
Nigerian national Osita Chris Iwu and his wife, Sinead O’Donoghue met in Derry in 2004. They wanted to marry.
But they were blocked by UK rules.