A printing company in Drogheda has refused to serve a couple who ordered invitations to their civil partnership ceremony, on the grounds that they are gay.

Beulah Print & Design told the couple they would not do business with them because they “don’t agree with homosexuality”.

One half of the couple, Jonathan Brennan, spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning detailing what happened with the company.

Mr Brennan was told by the company: "We don't agree with gay marriage and we don't believe in homosexuality. There is a conflict of interest this time and we have to refuse.

"He knew they were for me. I didn't go into the date and the venue and things like that. It was just the initial consultation to say, this is the style I want, can you do that?"

Chris asked did the company know if Mr Brennan is a gay man: "I never hide who I am. It's obvious I'm gay."

When asked how he reacted, Mr Brennan said: "He went on to explain that if somebody came in with a picture of a naked woman and they wanted to print it on to a poster, they would have to refuse that which horrified me because he was comparing a wedding invitation to a pornographic image."

Mr Brennan asked where he would go from here, to which he responded: "Myself and John, we're deeply hurt by it.

"We're not part of any gay activist group. We just wanted to get our invitations made.

"However we would probably need to seek some legal advice."

You can listen back here:

The business responded by stating:

"The business has decided not to do any radio or tv interviews for the present. We will be making some statements through our Facebook account to help clarify our convictions on a variety of issues which inform how we conduct out business as Christians."

 

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