TEACHERS TOLD THEY DON’T HAVE TO TEACH O SEARCAIGH’S POEMS

Teachers have been given the option NOT to include poems from disgraced Donegal writer Cathal O Searcaigh on their courses.

The Gortahork poet became the subject of a huge public outcry after he admitted having sex with young Nepalese men in the documentary Fairytale of Kathmandu.

Since the fall-out from the documentary there were calls for O Searcaigh’s poems to be removed from the Leaving Certificate.

However the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment got advice to say the work should continue to be taught.

But the NCCA has also said it will leave it up to teachers “to use or not use his work”.