Sir, - I was interested in the article by Eoin Neeson in your edition of April 4th. He very honourably accepts the result of Prof Bill McCormack's investigation of the Casement Diaries which found that they were genuine. While I welcome this, I am rather saddened by Mr Neeson's references to Casement's "alleged degeneracy and sexual perversion", and his resistance to the notion that Casement can now be regarded as a gay icon.
First of all I find it rather insulting that homosexuality should be described in such blanket negative terms. Secondly, surely it is good that young people coming to terms with their own sexuality should have such a noble figure who was also gay to whom they can look up in their struggle to find their own identity. - Yours, etc.,
Senator DAVID NORRIS, Seanad Éireann, Baile Átha Cliath, 2.