Senator David Norris has said he will remain in the race for election as the next President, despite details emerging from a letter written to an Israeli court in 1997.
The controversy surrounding Mr Norris is believed to centre on a letter he sent to an Israeli court, seeking clemency for his former partner, Ezra Yizhak.
Mr Norris has told the Sunday Independent newspaper that he remains 'absolutely committed' to his campaign, despite the resignation of some senior members of his campaign team this weekend.
The Senator has told the paper that he released the letter himself.
He also has told the newspaper that he sent the letter to Mr Yizhak's legal team and not to the judges directly.
Senator Norris has said that he 'was not hiding behind shadows' and was 'prepared to come out.'
Mr Norris told the Sunday Independent that there was 'something sinister about it all' and that it had 'all the appearance of a stitch-up.'
He apologised to his supporters, saying he was 'very sorry' that so many of them may 'feel hurt by these further insinuations.'
He described his former partner's conviction for the statutory rape of a 15-year-old boy as a 'shocking and painful experience' and said he suffered 'guilt by association' but that it had been 'many people's fate to love people who have defects.'
Mr Yizhak, who was Mr Norris' partner for many years, had been convicted of the statutory rape of a 15-year-old boy and was awaiting sentence at the time.
Read the eight page letter here.
In the letter, which is written on Seanad notepaper, Senator Norris says he and Mr Yizhak have known each other since 1975 and they had been regular visitors to each other's homes in Dublin and Jerusalem.
Senator Norris describes Mr Yizhak as a trustworthy, good and moral person for whom the 'present difficulty' is quite uncharacteristic.
He is, in Mr Norris' words, 'a thoroughly good and decent man despite difficulties in his upbringing.'
Mr Norris goes on to say that he had direct knowledge of the events surrounding the case involving Mr Yizhak and the teenager but does not disclose the details, saying he would be happy to do so for the court.
He alleges Mr Yizhak was 'lured into a carefully prepared trap' and he had 'unwisely' pleadeded guilty to the charges.
Mr Norris discusses at length the way in which he feels an Irish court would have dealt with the matter and cites how mitigating facts would be viewed by courts in Ireland and Britain.
His strongest argument to the court is, however, one for pity, he says.
Mr Norris says he is secure in the knowledge that Mr Yizhak would not offend again in the same way; that Mr Yizhak is prepared to offer financial compensation to his victim; that his psychological welfare is at risk if sent to prison; that he might attempt suicide in prison and that his mother depends on him.
In another character reference for Mr Yizhak, Mr Norris he cannot speak highly enough of him.
He writes that he is known to many of his friends and colleagues in Ireland and they all share his high opinion of Mr Yitzhak.
Mr Norris said in the letter that he would have no difficulty in acting as guarantor, sponsor or character reference for him in any circumstances.
Earlier, Mr Norris' campaign youth co-ordinator, Orlaith Foley, said she had resigned from the campaign but did not explain why.
She follows Jane Cregan, director of communications, and director of elections, Derek Murphy, who has also resigned.
Mr Norris was in Dublin today but has so far refused to comment on the latest controversy or how it might affect his campaign plans.
Politicians' pledges
A number of politicians who have pledged to support Senator Norris's presidential campaign have called on him to clarify the events that have led to a number of resignations from his campaign team.
So far, 15 Oireachtas members have said they will sign Senator Norris's nomination papers for the October election.
Mr Norris needs five more to ensure his place in the race.
Among his backers, senators Marie-Louise O'Donnell and John Crown have today said they want more information about the 1992 case and how it relates to the presidential campaign.
Wexford Independent TD Mick Wallace has said as things stand, he still supports Senator Norris and similar sentiments were echoed by Independent TD Thomas Pringle and Senator Sean Barret.
Independent TDs Luke 'Ming' Flanagan and Finian McGrath have said they have no comment at this stage.
It is also understood that Fianna Fáil senators will not be offering their support to ensure Mr Norris gets on the ticket.
There had been speculation that they could facilitate the senator, but it has emerged that the group of FF senators met last week to discuss the matter and the view of the majority was not to lend Senator Norris their support.
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