Sir, – This marks the country’s first general election since the passing of Noel Whelan. The opening of the ballot boxes marks the beginning of a day which is of real significance in any democracy.
Noel had an encyclopaedic knowledge of each constituency and he could interpret every twist and turn of a general election count in a way like no other.
He brought count-day to life and his commentary guided lesser political anoraks like myself through the dense fog of tallies, disputed ballots, recounts, and the likely shape of the next government.
Count-day will be all the poorer without his energy, enthusiasm, and deep insights. – Yours, etc,
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BRIAN HUNT,
Kilmacanogue,
Co Wicklow.