A PUBLISHER is being sought for a 75 year old manuscript on the life of Sir Roger Casement, writes Richard Balls.
The original manuscript of The Betrayal of Roger Casement by Sean Francis Kavnnagh, has recently passed to the author's Dublin born granddaughter, who is determined to have his work published. Ms Eileen Keely, who now lives in Washington state, wants to fulfil her grandfather's desire for "future generations to know the true history of the Irish Brigade".
Mr Kavanagh was a sergeant in the Irish Republican Brigade and worked closely with Sir Roger Casement. It is believed he wrote his insight into Casement's colourful life in 1922, six years after Casement was hanged at Pentonville Prison, London, having been found guilty of high treason.
The handwritten account has remained in the Kavanagh family since and was obtained by Ms Keely on a visit to her aunt, Ms Rita Grove, in England last July. The manuscript is believed to contain many details about Casement's life and includes pictures and documents never published before.