Byelections

Sir, – Even Homer nods. "Opposition parties or Independents won all of the byelections held between 1979 and 2011" (Noel Whelan, "Fine prospects for Fine Gael in byelection", Opinion & Analysis, May 8th).

Not true. Clement Coughlan (Fianna Fáil) won the Donegal byelection in October 1980 and Noel Tracey (FF) won the Galway East by election in 1982 when Charlie Haughey was taoiseach. – Yours, etc,

BRENDAN O’DONNELL

Glenageary,

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Co Dublin.