A NUMBER of publishing firms have expressed interest in the manuscript of a book on the life of Sir Roger Casement, which is thought to have been written 75 years ago.
The only copy of the manuscript, by Mr Sean Francis Kavanagh, is in the possession of his Dublin born grand daughter, Ms Eileen Keely.
Its existence was highlighted recently by The Irish Times, whom the publishers have since contacted.
Ms Keely, who lives in Olympia, Washington state, was given the manuscript by her aunt, Ms Rita Grove, during a trip to England last year.
Her grandfather was a sergeant in the Irish Republican Brigade and worked very closely with Casement.
It is believed that he wrote his insight into his life some years after Casement was hanged at Pentonville Prison in London, having been found guilty of high treason.
The hand written account has remained in the Kavanagh family and is accompanied by pictures and documents never before published. These include copies of false passports used by Casement to enter Germany, where he sought volunteers for the republican cause.
Ms Keely said it was her desire to fulfil her grandfather's wish for "future generations to know the true history of the Irish Brigade".
"I think it is something that a lot of people would want to know about. It is quite an incredible document and probably quite controversial.