Woman challenges Orange expulsion
AN Orangewoman expelled from the Order in a row over wearing her sash at a funeral has launched a legal bid to be reinstated.
The High Court heard yesterday Honor Hawthorne was forced out after the event was likened to a paramilitary procession.
Mrs Hawthorne, 40, has brought her action against senior representatives of the Association of Loyal Orangewomen of Ireland.
The case centres on her participation, along with five other women, at the funeral of a friend and fellow member in September 2005.
Mrs Hawthorne, a shopowner from Markethill who at the time headed up the loyal order's Armagh District No 2, disputes claims that permission was only given to wear regalia inside the church.
She is claiming a subsequent disciplinary process against her was unfair.
Opening the case, her barrister David Scoffield said the family of the late Lily Boyce had asked Mrs Hawthorne for Orange involvement at her funeral.
The court was told she sought permission and was referred up through to the most senior officials.
Issues being contested at trial involve whether the Orangewomen were authorised to wear their sashes while accompanying the coffin.
Mr Scoffield said a charge was brought against his client in relation to unspecified behaviour.
Giving evidence, Mrs Hawthorne told the court she felt herself to be on trial once disciplinary proceedings were commenced.
"I was already found guilty (that) was my feeling," she said.
It was disclosed that a document setting out the reasons for lodging charges against her included a reference to the event looking like a paramilitary funeral, with Mrs Hawthorne said to be wearing dark glasses.
She told the court she had been wearing prescription glasses for around 20 years.
"I got eye surgery done two years ago. I could not have bright light so I had react-to-light glasses," she said.
"They are ordinary glasses in a room but when you go outside they darken to sunglasses."
Mrs Hawthorne added that the document made no accusation about her specifically looking like a paramilitary.
The court heard her family had a longstanding history of membership of the loyal orders. She herself joined at the age of 18.
The case was adjourned until next week.
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Tuesday 14 February 2012
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