Sir, - Pierce Purcell's letter of July 26th, in which he attacks the views held by Bernadine O'Sullivan and the majority of ASTI members, assumes a note of injured innocence that is, perhaps, self-indulgent. That is his prerogative.
However, his claim that "the majority of ASTI members who are NUI graduates did not vote for her [Bernadine O'Sullivan]" is disingenuous and invites comment. When he states that this "statistic" sends a message that is "loud and clear", I am inclined to wonder if he gets the real message.
Let me remind Mr Purcell, who was eliminated on count eight, that he received 1,492 votes, while Bernadine O'Sullivan, whose views he is at pains to discredit, polled 6,037. In addition, Ms O'Sullivan remained a significant threat to the three front-runners right up to the 13th and last count and finished a mere 1,682 votes behind Mr Joe O'Toole, a man whose political machine is legendary. To me, these are the figures that send a clear and loud message.
Mr Purcell might at least have the grace to concede that he was comprehensively beaten by Bernadine O'Sullivan in the Seanad election.
He might also, with benefit, ponder the reasons for, and significance of, this outcome. - Yours, etc.,
NÓRA NÍ MHURCHÚ, Weirview Drive, Stillorgan, Co Dublin.