Ticket Sales For U2 Concert

Sir, - It is with a wry smile that I peruse an interview with Bono eulogising his success in enhancing the cause of global equality…

Sir, - It is with a wry smile that I peruse an interview with Bono eulogising his success in enhancing the cause of global equality through his work for Jubilee 2000. While this is undoubtedly a commendable project, I wish Killiney's finest would practice what he preaches. I refer, of course, to the ticket debacle for August 25th gig at Slane Castle. Literally thousands of genuine fans were left ticketless, some after queuing for hours, largely because of the distribution methods, which were anything but fair.

Of course, this generated publicity: if U2 can sell out their shows in 45 minutes, they can't be all washed up, as some sceptics are suggesting. Far be it from me to suggest that the U2 marketing machine had this squarely in mind when deciding how to distribute tickets.

I remain a great (if ticketless) fan of U2's music. As for their marketing ploys - well, they remain something I definitely can do without. - Yours etc,

Cormac Halpin, Drayton Park, London N5.