Correspondence 1976-1979 predominantly relating to Norris' initial action in High Court. File includes cover letter from Kevin Tuohy to David Norris (DN) for report on research essay Tuohy carried out on the Irish Gay Rights Movement (IGRM), for which DN was chair, as part of his B.A. examination in Maynooth College, 02/01/1976 [report closed]; photocopy of advertisement placed in Miami Herald 04/06/1977 by Dade County Coalition for Human Rights (United States of America) in relation to referendum on repeal of human rights, 04/06/1977; photocopy of introductory statement from Campaign for Homosexual Law Reform (CHLR), [DN, Chairman of Steering Committee], August 1977 with handwritten cover letter from DN to Mary Robinson (MR) asking to meet for chat, 05/08/1977; photocopy of typed letter from Herman Good & Co solicitors (on behalf of John Jay (JJ), solicitor with them) to DN referring to legal opinion sent from Donal Barrington (not enclosed), and referring to confusion relating to IGRM committee, 23/09/1977; correspondence between JJ and MR, 10/05/1978-12/12/1979, including in relation to Statement of Claim; correspondence from DN as Chairman of CHLR to MR, 30/07/1978; photocopies of correspondence between JJ and Chief State Solicitor 07-22/09/1978.

Folder labelled "Opinion of Donal Barrington re Constitutionality of Laws touching Homosexuality 12/09/1977" consisting of a photocopy of Barrington's 28 page typed legal opinion, and cover letter to Herman Good & Co solicitors suggesting they share with limited number of "well-disposed people" for criticism as more expert help from variety of sources required.

Folder labelled "Norris v A.G. Correspondence", Correspondence 1980-1983 (up to Supreme Court decision).

This file consists of correspondence and copies of same between John Jay (JJ), Herman Good, Hubert Wine & Co solicitors and Mary Robinson (MR) as Barrister at Law (BL) and later Senior Counsel (SC), 30/01/1980-10/06/1983, and copies of correspondence between them and Louis J Dockery, Chief State Solicitor, 17/06/1980-18/06/1980; handwritten letter from David Norris (DN) to MR, on National Gay Federation (NGF) headed paper, giving preliminary list of proposed witnesses for her to consider including theologians, authors, Judd Maron, President of the American Psychiatric Association, and Ger Browne, Chief State Psychiatrist, 198[0?]; photocopy of typed memorandum which was sent to all three counsel relating to availability of witnesses, 29/05/1980; faded photocopy of circular from DN as National Chairman of Irish Gay Rights Movement (IGRM), requesting recipient add signature to statement to be made public as part of campaign for law reform, 19[??]; typed letter from Edmund [Lynch], Research Unit, CHLR [Campaign for Homosexual Law Reform] which accompanied research material she was promised for consultation (material elsewhere?), 06/06/1980; photocopy of typed letter from John P. Spiegel, M.D., Director The Florence Heller Graduate School for Advanced Studies in Social Welfare, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts, United States of America (USA) which originally accompanied his CV, bibliography, copies of testimony he gave at a Congressional briefing and other background material on national gay civil rights bill, 06/06/1980; correspondence from members of public to MR re her taking case including anonymous senders, 02/07/1980; correspondence and photocopies between DN and JJ re legal fees and money in "Defence Fund" (aka Hirschfeld Foundation), which is then forwarded to MR with cover letter 08/[?]/1980, 22/12/1981-09/03/1982, 10/06/1983; copy of letter from MR to DN requesting material relating to USA cases which would help in preparing his appeal to Supreme Court, 24/02/1982; correspondence between Andrew Drzemczewski (AD), Senior Lecturer in Law, The Polytechnic of North London and MR following request by Kevin Boyle to AD to provide MR with some material and subsequently AD requesting information on Supreme Court judgement in DN case, 02/04/1982-13/09/1983; correspondence including copies between MR and Professor Dede [Dolores] Donovan, University of San Francisco, USA, relating to MR's request for information on recent US cases 19-30/08/1982; handwritten letter of thanks from DN to MR, ahead of Supreme Court judgement [1983] and following Supreme Court judgement on costs 27/06/1983.

[Archivist's note: This case is both contemporary and sensitive in nature and some material in this file is therefore restricted. Please consult archivist to enquire about access to restricted material.]

Transcripts of evidence: "The High Court David Norris Plaintiff v the Attorney General, Defendant Action heard before Mr Justice McWilliams on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 24th, 25th, 26th and 27th June 1980 AND Tuesday and Wednesday 1st and 2nd July, 1980" in 3 vols.

Folder labelled "United States" with print outs of and notes on similar/relevant cases in United States of America including photocopies of book excerpts on following cases: "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Appellant v Michael Bonadio, Patrick Gagliano, Shane Wimbel and Dawn Delight a/k/a Mildred I. Kannitz", 07/03-30/05/1980; "Gay Students Organization of University of New Hampshire v Thomas N. Bonner, Individually and as President of University of New Hampshire", 16/01/1974; "Doe et al. v Commonwealth's Attorney for the City of Richmond et al" 26/03/1976; "Buchanan et al v Wade, District Attorney of Dallas County", 29/03/1971; "Henry, Reformatory Superintendent v Cotner", 14/10/1968; "M.P. v S. P., Superior Court of New Jersey, 30/05-23/07/1979, photocopy of judgement "City of Santa Barbara v Beverly Adamson et al.", Supreme Court, California 19[80?]; photocopy of typed article "Lifestyle as a Constitutional Issue: Is there a right to Privacy?", by Roberta Achtenberg, with handwritten cover letter to "Dee Dee" and brochure from Lesbian Rights Project, San Francisco, United States of America, 01/09/1982; photocopy of judgement in Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v Michael Bonadio case, 30/05/1980; handwritten list of US cases with some notes; photocopies of various book titles relating to Morality and Law; photocopy of selected bibliography on Homosexuality, Congressional Research Service, The Library of Congress, Gerald P. Hamilton, Research Assistant, Government Division, 18/04/1980; photocopy of "Addendum II Denominational Statements on Gay Civil Rights, Testimony of the reverend Elder Troy D Perry..." Congressional Briefings, 21/04/1980; photocopy of Brief for Appellant, Brief on Appeal submitted by Lambda Legal Defence & Education Fund, Inc., Amicus Curiae and judgement, New York Supreme Court, the People of the State of New York against Ronald Onofre, 31/10/1979-24/01/1980 and Congressional Research Service, The Library of Congress photocopy of report "Homosexual Rights: An Issues Overview", by Sarah P Collins, Analyst in American National Government, 18/04/1980.

This file also includes photocopies of statements by John P. Spiegel, M.D., Brandeis University, Waltham Massachusetts, "First National Congressional Briefing on Civil Rights of Gay People", 21/04/1980 and again in 24/06/1980 with photocopies of letters of invite and thanks from members of Congress to Spiegel, as Professor of Social Psychiatry and member of Board of Trustees of the American Psychiatry Association, 24/03/1980 and 12/05/1980, and a bibliography and CV for Spiegel.

Folder labelled "misc" including press releases and photocopies of documents used as research. File includes photocopy of pamphlet "Homosexual Oppression in Ireland - Its Origin and a Possible Solution", David P.B. Norris (DN), National Chairman Irish Gay Rights Movement (IGRM), 1976; photocopy (faded) of Church of Ireland Press Release "Homosexuality Law reform in Northern Ireland", 23/11/1977; documents on the Netherlands law change 1969, 1970 with correspondence attached from Bill George, M.A., NVIH International Action Group, Amsterdam, Professor Trimbos, Erasmus University Rotterdam and, Cees J Straver, NISSO [Nederlands Instituut voor Sociaal Sexualogisch Onderzoek] and the Policy Advisory Committee on Sexual Offenses, London, England, 17/11/1979-21/01/1980; photocopies of progress report "Homosexual Law Reform in Ireland", Norris, IGRM, n.d.; handwritten case notes; photocopies of several articles and book excerpts including "Counselling and Assisting Homosexuals", A.C.E. Lynch, 1979, "Towards a Charter of Homosexual Rights", Campaign for Reason, n.d., "Homosexuality: A Memorial on Merit", Ethna O'Gorman, Court of Human Rights, Strasbourg, 31/8/1979, "Indecency Between Males and the Sexual Offences Act 1967", by Roy Walmsley, Home Office Research Unit [United Kingdom], 1978, "The Vatican on Sex", by Daniel C Maguire, 02/1976, "Sexuality and the Law", by Dr E Brongersma, n.d.; photocopies of draft "Homosexual Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 1978, and explanatory document and photocopy of a survey for study on how Irish Men and Women perceived themselves and their lives in Ireland, 19[??].

Folder labelled "The Supreme Court David Norris and The Attorney General Book of Appeal…". File consists of material relating to appeal to Supreme Court and includes draft submissions and photocopies including photocopy of David Norris (DN) and Attorney General Defence of the Defence delivered at High Court, 14/11/1979, by Chief State Solicitor Louis Dockery; copy of typed document on United States Constitution and case Law; photocopy of High Court judgement in David Norris v Attorney General, [10/10/1980]; typed copy of submission on behalf of DN [High Court, 1980?]; typed index of Irish and US cases [submitted in court?]; typed submission to Supreme Court on behalf of Plaintiff (DN), with notations; photocopies of documents submitted to Supreme Court including index and copies of Plenary Summons, Statement of Claim, Notice for Particulars, Reply to Notice for Particulars, Defence, Judgement of Mr Justice McWilliam, Order of Mr Justice McWilliam and Notice of Appeal, June 1980.

Material in this file relates to High Court Case and grounds for appeal to Supreme Court. It includes folder labelled "Norris- submissions under Convention of Human Rights" (mainly handwritten notes including relating to remarks in court), 198[0?]; folder labelled "Norris - Opinions, Defence, St. of Claim etc." including typed list of witnesses for High Court case [Norris v Attorney General] with notation; typed copies of Statement of Claim, 1978; photocopy of "Reply to Notice for Particulars", 05/06/1980; photocopy of "notice for Particulars" with cover letter from Louis J Dockery, Chief State solicitor, 16-20/05/1980; photocopy of "1978 No.5793P High Court between David Norris Plaintiff and the Attorney General Defendant Index of Inter-Party Correspondence" with correspondence from 18/11/1977-18/06/1980; pamphlet "Homosexual Legislation in Ireland - A Case for Reform" Campaign for Homosexual Law Reform" 01/1978; typed letter from John Jay (JJ), Solicitor, Herman Good, Hubert Wine & Co, to Mary Robinson (MR) which was originally attached to copy of Order from High Court, and which requested Grounds of Appeal, 13/11/1980; copy of cover letter from MR to JJ which had been attached to photocopy of Judgement of European Court of Human Rights in Dudgeon Case, 09/11/1981.

Two parliament barrister notebooks with notes, one labelled "Nicholas K Robinson Commissioner for Oaths" [notes taken during case hearing?].

Material relating to the National Gay Federation (NGF) which at some stage [1981?] incorporated the Irish Gay Rights Movement (1974-1978). Material includes typed copy of Constitution of NGF as adopted at first Annual General Meeting (AGM), Gresham Hotel, Dublin, 31/05/1980; letter from Michael Keating T.D. (Alderman), Fine Gael Spokesman on Human Rights, to Tom McClean, NGF, Hirshfield Centre, Dublin 2, stating Fine Gael's view that law on homosexual acts was in need of reform, 24/11/1980; correspondence between Bernard Keogh, General Secretary NGF, Gerry Collins T.D., Minister for Justice and Dr Noel Browne T.D. 13/12/1980-31/03/1981 on law reform; correspondence between Keogh, and Dr Michael Woods, T.D., Minister for Health and Social Welfare in relation to new Mental Health Bill, 03/02-15/04/1981; photocopy of pamphlet "The Homosexual in Ireland”, written by David Norris (DN), for Gay Rights Movement, 19[7?]; photocopy of typed article "Making a case for the socially responsible treatment of homosexuals by the Irish Church hierarchy and Irish people as a whole", Willie Murphy, 19[7?]; report "National Gay Conference 1981 May 15-17 Connolly’s Hall Cork Gays in the Eighties: Which Way Forward?"; photocopy of NGF typed declaration "The Rights of the Homosexual Citizen Of Ireland", 27/06/1981; photocopy of report on Trade Union activity, presented to the second AGM of NGF, Royal Dublin Hotel, 27/06/1981; draft report on political action undertaken by Research Unit, NGF at the time of General Election, June 1981, prepared by Research Unit, September 1981; NGF press statement re concern at dissenting judgement by Justice Walsh to human rights verdict of European Court of Human Rights in case of Dudgeon v United Kingdom, 24/10/1981; correspondence between Keogh, and Eileen Desmond, Minister for Health and Social Welfare [succeeded Woods] 23-29/10/1981; correspondence between Keogh, DN and Dick Spring, Minister of State and Law Reform, which led to delegation from NGF meeting with minister 01/07-09/11/1981; NGF pamphlet 19[8?]; NGF press release relating to survey of all political parties, conducted 09-11/02/1982; NGF pamphlet relating to "Charles Self Murder Investigation" and "Guidelines for Dealing with the Gardaí" [Irish police force], 02/1982; typed agenda for interim National Gay Conference, Trinity College Dublin, 13/05/1982; letter from Edmund Lynch, Research Director, NGF to Garret Fitzgerald, Taoiseach [Irish Prime Minister], Charles J. Haughey, leader of Fianna Fáil [opposition party], and Michael O'Leary, Tánaiste [Deputy Prime Minister] and Leader of the Labour Party, seeking to ascertain their parties' attitude to Gay Rights during general election campaign taking place at the time, 15/02/1982; NGF press release "Gay Law Reform in Northern Ireland" referencing British government's intention to decriminalise homosexual relations in Northern Ireland following Jeffrey Dudgeon case, 26/02/1982; photocopy of circular from Northern Ireland Information Service on proposal for a draft Homosexual Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 1982, 18/03/1982; NGF press statement on banning by Censorship of Publications Board of English periodical "Gay News" in Ireland with copy of letter sent to Gay News Ltd., London, England (04/08/1982), 13/08/1982; Irish Association of Civil Liberties Bulletin Autumn 1982 which includes article by DN "Homosexuality and the Law - Civil Liberties"; copy of letter from Tonie Walsh, General Secretary of NGF (succeeding Bernard Keogh) to Senator Brendan Ryan confirming recent invitation to delegation including from NGF, 15/11/1982; correspondence between Tonie Walsh and Michael Noonan, Minister for Justice, relating to request for meeting to discuss case of death of Declan Flynn, Fairview, and setting up of an enquiry into police behaviour prior to his death 15/03-19/08/1983; NGF document stating resolution passed to nominate DN to represent the organisation in his application to the European Court of Human Rights, 19/09/1983, and copy of constitution and of NGF pamphlet attached; copy of letter from Eamon Somers, Counsel President, NGF to Joe Mulholland, Editor of Today Tonight Show, RTÉ [Raidió Teilifís Éireann, Irish public service broadcaster] relating to programme aired on 16/06/1983 and manner in which sensitive subject on law reform was handled, 17/06/1983, with follow-up letter from Tonie Walsh seeking response, 09/1983; flyer listing programming for Oct 1983-Jan 1984 for Hirschfeld Biograph, 10 Fownes Street, Dublin 2 [55 seat cinema, part of NGF facilities for members].