Sir, – I appreciated the gentle tone of Miriam Lord's piece "Joan hangs up her red jacket as time catches up on Labour" (Sketch, May 11th). She is a human being, and while one may have disagreed with her modus operandi at times, these bruising days are not the time, in my view, to level abuse at her. I think the media sometimes chooses to disregard that fact. As Maeve Binchy once famously said, "We all need our huffing time." Thank you, Miriam. – Yours, etc,
NORA SCOTT,
Churchtown,
Dublin 14.
Sir, – History will be kinder in its verdict on Joan Burton’s leadership of Labour, and her wider contribution to public life, than some, who are quick to forget how dark recent years really were, are now prepared to allow. She is a woman of wisdom, kindness, grit and determination. I wish her well. – Yours, etc,
ANNE BYRNE,
Bray,
Co Wicklow.