Cathal O Searcaigh: in his own words
Cathal O Searcaigh is widely regarded as one of Ireland's finest living poets; as a poet writing within the Irish language, he has few peers. Last year, literary Ireland was shocked by the screening of , a documentary film made by Neasa Ni Chianain, a former friend of the poet, which suggested that Cathal O Searcaigh had regularly travelled to Nepal to have sexual relationships with many young men.
In the public uproar that followed, the poet was branded a "sex tourist" by some; others said he was taking advantage of impoverished young men and exploiting their friendship with him. His supporters said the film was "devious", a form of "entrapment". Cathal O Searcaigh has given only a few interviews in response to the film and its allegations. Last month, he spoke openly and at length to my colleague , on his website.
This is Cathal O Searcaigh's side of the story. Listen and decide for yourself.
Comment number 1.
At 20th Jun 2009, mccamleyc wrote:Based on the standard way society reacts we should simply be calling him a paedophile poet, denouncing poetry in general and calling for an investigation of all writers.
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Comment number 2.
At 21st Jun 2009, logica_sine_vanitate wrote:I know virtually nothing about this poet, but all I can say is that everyone is entitled to "his day in court" and that includes "the court of public opinion".
Of course he may be thoroughly guilty, but let that guilt rest on evidence, not on assumption, hearsay or the hypocritical opinions of that disgusting kangaroo court called "trial by media" - especially trial by the bog standard tabloids. I understand that even schoolchildren in Ireland are refusing to study his poetry because of the belief that he is a "rapist". Maybe he is - but are all the facts known (he denies penetrative intercourse, so what is the basis of this charge)?
Without wishing to minimise serious crimes and abuse, I sometimes wonder whether we in our society love to target alleged sexual deviants as a method of guilt transference to avoid facing up to our own shortcomings. There is no wrath as ugly as the wrath of the self-righteous. And this phenomenon is especially galling in a society which functions on the basis of an arrogant philosophy, which tends to make up morality as it goes along: "Anything goes, but the moment someone takes this 'liberty' too far (whatever that is supposed to mean) this same amoral society suddenly starts preaching." Totally illogical.
From what I have seen and heard of this case this evening I will suspend my own judgment until such time as it is proven that Cathal has committed a crime.
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