Norris campaign is hit by his old comments on paedophilia

Senator David Norris' prospects of being a presidential election candidate were thrown into doubt last night as controversial comments came back to haunt him. The Independent candidate went to ground after his Presidential campaign was dealt a blow by the return of a controversy over past comments about paedophilia. The comments by the senator, dating back a decade, returned as he entered a crucial stage in his bid to secure a nomination for the Presidential election.

Mr Norris's original comments in 2001 were: "I haven't the slightest interest in children, or in people who are considerably younger than me. I cannot understand how anybody could find children of either sex in the slightest bit attractive sexually... but in terms of classic paedophilia, as practised by the Greeks, for example, where it is an older man introducing a younger man to adult life, there can be something said for it. Now, again, this is not something that appeals to me. Although when I was younger I would have greatly relished the prospect of an older, attractive, mature man taking me under his wing, lovingly introducing me to sexual realities, treating me with affection, teaching me about life."

source: Article 'Norris campaign is hit by his old comments on paedophilia' by Fionnan Sheahan; www.independent.ie/national-news/norris-campaign-is-hit-by-his-old-comments-on-paedophilia-2661553.html; Independent.ie; 31 May 2011