O'Kelly, who claimed to be "Baron O'Kelly de Conejera"; and six others who were members of the Niadh Nask. The ICOC's Register listed its Vice-President matter of factly as "The MacCarthy Mór, Prince of Desmond". In 1996, Robert Gayre died and Terence MacCarthy assumed his position as President of the ICOC. For the next three years, he continued to use its offices, influence, and publications to lend credence to his nobiliary claims. Controversy On 20 June 1999, The Sunday Times in Dublin published an article questioning both the facts of MacCarthy's particular application of tanistry, and his claim of descent from former chiefs of the MacCarthy clan. Various public statements on both sides were released over the next few months. His critics, pointing to his falsified ancestry, alleged that he was an impostor who misused his genealogical skills to fraudulently claim the title, then exploited it for personal financial gain and aggrandisement. His supporters countered that he was an excellent organiser who delivered on every promise made to clan associations. They argued that a culturally inappropriate and impossibly stringent standard was applied to MacCarthy's pedigree. They also claimed that MacCarthy was being singled out because of jealousy of his success, and possibly due to his political and religious views. Investigation of the case was rendered more difficult due to the refusal of the Genealogical Office to release all documents relating to the 1992 courtesy recognition. The Irish Freedom of Information Act of 1997 does not apply retrospectively, but documents relating to the case from April 1998 onwards were released. Sean J. Murphy, a County Wicklow genealogist, has published online accounts of the MacCarthy Mór case and also a full-length book. Media reported on research showing that MacCarthy's claim to be the MacCarthy Mór was based on fabricated documentation; rather than being aristocrats of Munster origin, his ancestors were ordinary Belfast working people. The surname of MacCarthy's paternal grandfather Thomas is listed on his birth certificate as "MacCartney", rather than the expected "MacCarthy". On a practical level, the issue was settled by two events. In August 1999, the Irish Genealogical Office nullified its previous recognition of Terence MacCarthy as the MacCarthy Mór. A group of twelve principle supporters met in Atlanta, Georgia on 4 September 1999. The notes of this meeting and key concerns voiced were transmitted to Terence McCarthy in Tangier on 8 September. Following a report to the group