The motion, introduced by Enniskillen Sinn Fein councillor Debbie Coyle at Tuesday night’s monthly meeting in Omagh, passed by 25 votes to 13, with all unionists present voting against.

Both Sinn Fein, the SDLP and independent councillor Bernice Swift gave their support to the motion which stated, “This council believes that all couples, across our council area of Fermanagh and Omagh and across the North, regardless of sexual orientation should have the right to a civil marriage.”

 The motion also recognised legal protections for religious institutions and faith groups, but ultimately called on the Executive to “introduce legislation to extend civil marriage provisions to same-sex couples”.

Bringing the motion to the floor, Cllr Coyle said, “We have many LGBT people living within this council area who want and expect to be treated as equals.

“People are entitled to their personal opinions, but they are not entitled to impose them on others.”

Pointing out that same-sex couples can now marry in England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland, the councillor added, “This is not a religious issue, it is about equality.”

 However the response from a number of unionist councillors was laced with religious overtones.

 Local UUP councillor Allan Rainey used his time to speak on the matter by reciting a series of bible verses, including Leviticus 20:13, which includes the line if a man has sex with another man, “They are to be put to death.”

 The verses eventually brought the interjection of Enniskillen Sinn Fein councillor Tommy Maguire, who raised the council’s diversity policy.

 He said while the quotes may be appropriate at a religious gathering, he said, “This is not a religious gathering.”

Council chairman Thomas O’Reilly in turn ruled Cllr Rainey, out of order, prompting the UUP veteran to retort, “The truth is hard to take.”

DUP councillor David Mahon said his Christian faith teaches that marriage is between a man and a woman. “Just because I believe that, doesn’t make me homophobic,” he said.

The DUP man also went on to quote further religious text, this time reading out reference to homosexuality in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

 The comments of UUP councillor Alex Baird also raised the temperature of the debate, claiming, “This is another example of us wasting time on a matter over which we have no control. It’s another example of Provisional Sinn Fein hypocrisy.”

 He hit out at the party and “their fellow travellers in the IRA”, calling on them to “remove the beans from their eyes”.

The continued verbal attack on Sinn Fein saw Chairman O’Reilly attempt to interject a number of times, earning Cllr Baird a ‘telling off’ for not respecting the chair.

Eventually going to a recorded vote, the motion passed 25-13.