It was the same-sex marriage that had everyone talking – two men married, not for love but to beat the inheritance tax.
The story of the two best friends who tied the knot over money matters caused furore when it came to light, but Matt Murphy and Michael O’Sullivan always insisted their’s was a true love story.
And it was told on RTÉ One television on Monday night.
The story of the two best friends who tied the knot over money matters caused furore when it came to light, but Matt Murphy and Michael O’Sullivan always insisted their’s was a true love story. Pic: RTE
They had known each other for 30 years when Matt became ill and Michael needed a place to stay.
The two arranged that Michael would move in and care for Matt in his Dublin home, a win-win for them both. But when Matt, who died in January last year, offered to leave the modest house to his friend, Michael realised he would not be able to pay the inheritance tax of up to €100,000. So one of their friends suggested that the two should get hitched.
Matt promptly proposed, and the pair tied the knot just weeks later in 2017.
Matt Murphy and Michael O’Sullivan tied the knot in 2017. Pic: Colin Keegan/Collins
Matt and Michael had a loving, caring and compassionate marriage but were never more than friends, and filmmaker Donal Moloney has been recording their story over the years.
They faced complaints to the gardaà over the union, from people who accused Michael of taking advantage of Matt. Mr Moloney also saw the benefit of Michael’s care, as he was holding Matt’s hand as his elderly friend died.
He told the Irish Daily Mail: ‘I tried to assume the worst-case scenario, that he’s just taking Matt for a ride, and I came to the conclusion that even if he was, he deserves that house.
Matt and Michael had a loving, caring and compassionate marriage but were never more than friends, and filmmaker Donal Moloney has been recording their story over the years. Pic: Tom Honan
‘You wouldn’t believe what he had to put up with to look after Matt. He was totally honourable and an amazing character. Matt had no family whatsoever. And to have someone there for you all the time and literally die with him holding your hand is the most beautiful thing ever. And that’s the way it was.’
His documentary goes beyond the story of their wedding and tells us about their complex pasts and previous struggles.
Matt grew up on an estate just outside Cashel, Co. Tipperary, as an illegitimate child born into the servant’s gate lodge.
The documentary goes beyond the story of their wedding and tells us about their complex pasts and previous struggles. Pic: RTE
He was saved from adoption by his grandparents posing as his parents and worked on the estate as a butler until he moved to Dublin in his twenties.
He later met Michael, who was 20 years younger, and the two formed a strong friendship but lost touch when Matt retired. As he was turning 80 and his health started deteriorating he bumped into Michael again and they settled on the arrangement to share Matt’s Stoneybatter home.
Matt and Michael’s story went viral with their wedding attended by a barrage of photographers.
Matt Murphy and Michael O’Sullivan’s story went viral. Pic: Colin Keegan/Collins
This documentary focuses on their love, trust and friendship and the issue of inheritance. It goes past their story to the wider implications of care-giving and a deeper meaning to the vow: Till death us do part.
Viewers were left in tears by the programme, with one saying ‘Ok im crying #michaelandmatt such a heartfelt moving story’ and another adding ‘Regardless of whether you agree with what they did or not, what is glaringly blatant is the special friendship the two shared. We’d all be lucky to have a Michael or a Matt in our lives.’
