Pat Butler, Newtown, New Ross, Co Wexford

DEAR SIR: I wish to condemn Diarmuid Lally’s personal attack on John Boylan in the Dealer column in last week’s Irish Farmers Journal. Such behaviour is unbecoming of an acting officer against a fellow IFA member.

Lally’s reference to John Boylan as a “failed presidential candidate” is grossly unfair given Boylan’s exemplary track record within IFA.

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He has quietly gone about his business helping fellow farmers through difficult times.

Like Joe Rea before him, his stint compiling the milk league kept creameries on their toes putting money in dairy farmers’ pockets.

I am no defender of Eirgrid and have been active in the ongoing campaign to halt the construction of pylons across the country.

I have also consistently spoken out against their general attitude towards farmers, finding them arrogant and dismissive. However, this in no way justifies Lally’s attack on Boylan.