Poet pulls out of talk show for legal reasons
The interview would have been his first on television since the airing of the documentary Fairytale of Kathmandu, which explored the poet’s relationship with Nepalese teenage boys.
Ó Searcaigh, 52, wished to set the record straight on some issues surrounding the documentary, his links to Nepal and his homosexuality, during the interview.
However, it is understood the 52-year-old was told for legal reasons, the interview would have to be pre-recorded. According to sources he was not happy with that saying that the interview would be live or would not take place at all.
He was said to be unhappy with newspaper coverage of the upcoming interview and wanted to address that during the prime time show.
Mr Ó Searcaigh came to prominence last year when filmmaker Neasa Ní Chianin directed a documentary about his life in Nepal.
The poet has strongly criticised the film’s depiction of young Nepalese boys spending time in his bedroom.
Mr Ó Searcaigh declined an invitation to appear on The Late Late Show last year but a statement from the poet was read out by Pat Kenny at that time.
In it, Mr Ó Searcaigh said he was “deeply wounded by this film but I am confident, in the fullness of time, I will be vindicated”.
