JENNIFER JOHNSTON,
Sir, - I am disheartened to see that your very fine literary critic Eileen Battersby, has taken a blow torch to Sebastian Barry and his play Hinterland (February 9th).
The play was very fairly reviewed by Fintan O'Toole and I wonder why you felt the need to print Eileen Battersby's vituperative piece. Nothing can be gained by this: the piece is written with a venom that will not illuminate the reader in any way, and can only be unprofitable to the victim and indeed to Ms Battersby herself. I have always regarded her to be a critic of taste and sensitivity and I hate to see her indulging in what seems like a personal attack on a writer who is both courageous and visionary. - Yours, etc.,
JENNIFER JOHNSTON, Herbert Park Lane, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.