Madam, - My late father, Tom Nisbet, was certainly no saint. But to suggest, as Hugh Oram seems to do (An Irishman's Diary, March 12th) that he was a regular member of a heavy drinking and promiscuous set who frequented the "Catacombs" in the 1950s is, I think, more than a little wide of the mark.
Mr Oram's comments recall those made in Brendan Lynch's book Parsons Bookshop, in relation to a photograph taken outside McDaid's pub in Harry Street. My father and mother both feature in this photograph and I remember them both mentioning the Catacombs. It was very close to where we lived in Pembroke Street until 1955.
During that time and afterwards I never saw either of my parents more than slightly inebriated. I am equally sure that they were faithful to each other despite the alleged activities and possible temptations in Fitwilliam Place. - Yours, etc,
DAVID NISBET, Hermitage Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16.