Gay poet denies sex with boys in Nepal
Thursday February 07 2008
Supporters of Irish language poet Cathal O Searchaigh closed ranks yesterday over controversial claims that he had sexual relationships with teenage males as young as 16.
A spokesman for Mr O Searchaigh said that he could state "categorically" that the poet did not have sexual relationships with young Nepalese men he was supporting financially.
But Liam Gaskin -- who has instructed his client not to give any interviews -- added: "If we're talking about intercourse, he did not have intercourse with these young men."
He said that "only Cathal" could define the exact nature of the relationships. He also pointed out that the males in question were over 16, which is the age of consent in Nepal.
Documentary
The allegations against Mr O Searchaigh surfaced in a documentary called 'Fairytale of Kathmandu', which is to be screened at the Dublin International Film Festival later this month. It will also be aired on RTE television in March.
In the documentary, the poet admits to having sex with some of the boys.
"Boys came to my room because my room is open all the time," he says in the film. "Certainly I had sex with some of them; yes, yes, yes. But it wasn't coercing them into having sex with me. That door was open all the time."
Gardai have also said they were in contact with the Nepalese authorities but no action has yet been taken.
The film's director, Neasa Ni Chianain, claims she initially planned to make the documentary about Mr O Searchaigh and his work in Nepal supporting teenagers in work and education projects.
But Mr Gaskin said yesterday that the controversy "smacked of someone trying to get famous" at the expense of somebody "extremely renowned".
He said Ms Ni Chianain had already made one documentary about the poet and claimed she made the second documentary because she "had the sense that there might be something she could be made famous by".
He also said the Mr O Searcaigh was "distraught" at the allegations.
A Department of Education spokesperson said it had received no complaints yesterday following the revelations about Mr O Searchaigh, whose work features on Leaving and Junior Certificate courses.
- Fiach Kelly
