Madam, - Margaretta D'Arcy (February 12th) illustrates perfectly the point made by Prof Geraldine Sheridan (same edition) that there appears to be a closing of ranks on the part of our intellectual and artistic elite with regard to the Ó Searcaigh controversy. Apparently she sees nothing wrong with this man's dealings with his "young friends". Appalling and unbelievable. - Yours, etc,
JOHN ROONEY, Belfast 15.
Madam, - During the past week Aosdána members have defended Cathal Ó Searcaigh's behaviour while questioning the integrity and motives of the documentary makers. When will an Aosdána member come forward and publicly ask whether Ó Searcaigh's membership of Aosdána and receipt of taxpayer funds ought to be reconsidered?
If nobody in Aosdána has the courage to challenge the surreal defence being offered that "legal in Nepal" implies "morally acceptable in Ireland", the Government needs to consider whether it's time to intervene in order to protect the interests of taxpayers and artists, not all of whom are lucky enough to be members of Aosdána. - Yours, etc,
DAVID ROLFE, Leinster Road, Dublin 6.