Tributes to journalist killed in car smash
Shock over tragic death of Eileen, 60
PRESIDENT Michael D Higgins has led tributes to a highly-respected journalist killed in a car accident.
Eileen Battersby, 60, lost her life in a single-vehicle crash on the Oldbridge to Donore road near Drogheda, Co Louth.
Her daughter, Nadia, was also in the car and was injured in Saturday’s accident.
The critic was from California, US, and moved to Dublin to study English and history at UCD before beginning her career with the Sunday Tribune.
She moved to the Irish Times in 1988 and remained with the paper until July.
The keen animal lover was also the author of several books.
President Higgins said news of the writer’s death “will have been heard with shock and enormous sadness by those familiar with her work”.
He added: “They will have been impressed over the years by the sheer breadth of her interests, her insatiable curiosity for what was being produced in writing in both English and lesser-known languages, which she reviewed in translation.
“Among all those, including Sabina and I, who have read her unique pieces over the years, there will be a feeling that criticism of fiction in particular has suffered a great loss.
“Indeed, to all those in the world of books, there will be a sense that a critic relied upon by so many readers, and respected by writers, has been taken from us. All of us owe her a debt of gratitude for her unstinting efforts to bring the best writers from around the world to our attention, her unflinching standards, and for the enthusiasm with which she brought her celebration of all aspects of the arts to so many different audiences.”
Irish Times editor Paul O’neill said the multi-award-winning critic had made “an immeasurable contribution” to its coverage over three decades.
Former literary editor and columnist for the paper Fintan O’toole said her writing was notable for its “passionate curiosity”.
He added: “As a critic she could be fierce but I think everyone recognised the fierceness was a product of her passion and of the very high expectations she had of what a book could and should achieve. “And it was that same fierce passion that made her such a powerful advocate of the books she loved and championed.”
Ms Battersby had been due to appear on RTE Radio One’s Sunday Miscellany programme on Christmas Day.
The show said it would broadcast her pre-recorded piece as a tribute.
RTE tweeted: “We’re greatly saddened to hear of the sudden death of Eileen Battersby. Our deepest sympathy to her daughter Nadia, family and many friends.”
Gardai appeal for anyone with details about the crash to come forward. Eileen Battersby