Sir, - Gregory Allen (October 29th) describes as an "outrageous calumny" my suggestion on the television documentary Dear Boy that Micheal Mac Liammoir had an affair with General Eoin O'Duffy. My forthcoming book on Mac Liammoir will document the case more fully than was possible in a short interview, citing a number of sources to whom Mac Liammoir confirmed that such a relationship took place.
I can assure Mr Allen that, in discussing the relationship between the two men, it is not my intention to harm O'Duffy's reputation; nor do I believe that this revelation will have such an effect. Although homosexual acts were illegal at the time of the affair, there can be no shame in defying a cruel and unjust law and, as the excellent anti-discrimination policy of today's Defence Forces and Garda Siochana acknowledges, homosexuals can serve their country as courageously and effectively as anyone else .
Mr Allen pays eloquent tribute to O'Duffy's record as a soldier and police officer and to the esteem in which he was held by those he commanded. Others may argue that O'Duffy displayed different, less attractive qualities in his political career and that his judgement was often clouded by personal vanity.
O'Duffy's sexual orientation does not diminish the arguments either of his admirers or his detractors, but it is surely time for such matters to be discussed openly, in a non-judgmental way and free of prejudice. - Yours, etc.,
Denis Staunton, Geisbergstrasse, Berlin, Germany.