Pleas for State to buy War of Independence letters

The auction of a unique collection of War of Independence letters is to go ahead tonight despite calls for the collection to be kept in public ownership.

Auctioneer Ted Hegarty confirmed that, as of last night, he had received no offers for the Keyes McDonnell collection, and will put it under the hammer as planned in individual lots in Bandon, Co Cork, at 7pm.

However, it is understood that the National Gallery has made enquiries about a Walter Osbourne sketch book that makes up part of the collection.