Willie O'Dea affidavit controversy
Encyclopedia
The Willie O'Dea affidavit controversy or Brothelgate refers to a 2010 political controversy in Ireland surrounding former Minister for Defence
Willie O'Dea
.
Enda Kenny
, leader of main opposition party Fine Gael
, accused O'Dea of having committed perjury
after it emerged remarks which he had sworn under an affidavit
not to have said had in fact been said. The remarks related to the alleged connection between a brothel
and Sinn Féin
councillor Maurice Quinlivan
. These allegations were later proven to be untrue. O'Dea and Quinlivan had settled High Court damages over the incident in December 2009. However, increasing parliamentary pressure in February 2010 propelled the affair back into the spotlight. O'Dea resigned as Minister for Defence on 18 February 2010, with Taoiseach
Brian Cowen
assigning himself temporary responsibility for the Department of Defence
.
Stephen Collins, writing in The Irish Times
, suggested "Relations between the Coalition partners [Fianna Fáil and the Green Party] may never be the same again after the resignation of Willie O'Dea". According to the Evening Herald
, the departure of O'Dea was "the first major casualty of the coalition government". The same newspaper noted that the resignation of O'Dea was the third in two "absolutely calamitous" weeks, following the unexpected departures of George Lee
and Déirdre de Búrca
from Fine Gael and the Green Party respectively.
, a former Provisional IRA volunteer and the brother of Sinn Féin
candidate for Limerick City Council Maurice Quinlivan. The Garda Síochána
stated in the court hearing that Nessan Quinlivan
had no knowledge nor no involvement whatsoever and that the women were "pawns" of a larger operation..
The controversy leading to O'Dea's resignation as Minister for Defence centred on remarks he made concerning Maurice Quinlivan to Limerick Leader
journalist Mike Dwane in 2009. During the interview O'Dea made references to the brothel that had operated in the apartment owned by Nessan Quinlivan
One of the most damaging of these was:
The interview was published on 10 March 2009. Dwane recorded the interview.
O'Dea swore under oath an affidavit
that he had not made this remark. He later retracted this denial after a tape recording of the interview emerged. Damages were paid to Quinlivan by O'Dea following a High Court defamation challenge by Maurice Quinlivan in December 2009. O'Dea apologised for the remarks in court on 21 December.
Senator Eugene Regan
brought the matter to the attention of the Oireachtas
and stated that O'Dea ought to resign from office. On 15 February 2010, Labour Party
TD Jan O'Sullivan
asked that he explain himself as the Minister's Sunday newspaper column indicated he was aware that the interview was being recorded.
When O'Dea protested on 16 February that he had erred unintentionally Labour Party TD Pat Rabbitte
said he had "a cheek" to blame forgetfulness. Later that day Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny
announced he would table a motion of no confidence
in O'Dea, to be debated in Dáil Éireann
. The motion was debated on the afternoon of 17 February, with O'Dea passing by 80 votes for and 69 votes against. Fianna Fáil's partners in coalition, the Green Party
, supported O'Dea at this point. Vincent Browne
, writing in that day's edition of The Irish Times
, predicted that O'Dea had "nothing to fear" as "Green Party compliance has allowed Fianna Fáil to get away with doing whatever it likes". However, Green Party Chairman Dan Boyle
used Facebook
and Twitter
to express his lack of confidence in O'Dea, saying the man was "compromised" and that he ought to resign. "The treacherous tweet" was one term used to describe what Boyle had done. RTÉ described Boyle's act as "deliberate", suggesting that "its significance could grow were there to be further revelations about the affidavit affair". It was the first indication that the Green Party were not fully supporting O'Dea. By the end of the week it was being seen as central to the outcome of events.
The following morning a series of what were described as "rowdy exchanges" took place in Dáil Éireann forcing it to be suspended for a period. Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny accused O'Dea of having committed perjury, a comment he would not withdraw despite Tánaiste
Mary Coughlan's insistence. Meanwhile, Green Party member Gary Fitzgerald, a former unsuccessful local election candidate, complained to the Garda Síochána
's Bridewell station staff about O'Dea's conduct. An audio recording of the interview emerged in public for the first time and was broadcast repeatedly on national radio. That afternoon O'Dea denied he had committed perjury in a live radio interview with Sean O'Rourke
on RTÉ News at One
, saying that he had made "a stupid, silly mistake". He was among several TDs who failed to turn up for a parliamentary vote on a finance bill which the government only narrowly won by the casting vote of the Ceann Comhairle
, the first time in almost twenty years that this was needed. O'Dea resigned as Minister for Defence that evening. Taoiseach
Brian Cowen
responded to his resignation by assigning himself temporary responsibility for the Department of Defence
. Tony Killeen
was later appointed as Minister of Defence. O'Dea said he decided to resign when it became clear that the Green Party would no longer support the Government if he was to stay in office.
informed its readers. The Irish Independent
said the Green Party was responsible for O'Dea's resignation and noted that he would receive compensation of €100,000.
Defamation victim Councillor Maurice Quinlivan
welcomed the Minister's resignation, describing his position as "untenable" and expressing joy that the "sorry saga" had been "finally put to bed".
Dan Boyle said the Green Party would remain as Fianna Fáil's coalition partners after the resignation of O'Dea.
Fine Gael TD Michael Noonan
paid tribute to O'Dea, speaking of his "respect" for the former minister and acknowledging: "It is regrettable that Limerick will be without a Cabinet minister for the foreseeable future".
Fine Gael TD Dinny McGinley
criticised the Government for their handling of the affair, saying it had "brought standards in the Dáil to a new low".
O'Dea's first public comments following his resignation came on 19 February 2010:
O'Dea also admitted for the first time that the Green Party had pushed him aside.
Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy
will decide soon whether to investigate the affair.
Former RTÉ 2fm
dic jockey and friend of O'Dea Michael McNamara
described O'Dea's departure as "a bad day for Limerick".
In Cork
on February 20 Green Party leader John Gormley
said that prior to the Minister's resignation he had told Taoiseach Brian Cowen that O'Dea's position was "untenable and the stability of the Government would be under threat as a consequence and it would prove a real distraction" if he did go.
On 18 March 2010 a http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/Exclusive-Limerick-LeaderUL-poll-6337.6162161.jp major new opinion poll conducted for the Limerick Leader by researchers based at the University of Limerick has found that almost 63% of the local population believes it was necessary for Willie O'Dea to resign as Defence Minister.
achieved success online with their lampoon record "A Song for Willie O'Dea".
Minister for Defence (Ireland)
The Minister for Defence is the senior minister at the Department of Defence in the Government of Ireland. Under new arrangements this department is being merged with the Department of Justice over which Mr. Shatter will also preside....
Willie O'Dea
Willie O'Dea
Willie O'Dea is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician and a Teachta Dála for the Limerick City constituency. He served as the Minister for Defence from September 2004 until 18 February 2010, when he resigned from his post due to controversy over a defamation case.-Early and private life:O'Dea was born...
.
Enda Kenny
Enda Kenny
Enda Kenny is an Irish Fine Gael politician, and has been the Taoiseach since 2011. He has led Fine Gael since 2002. He served as Minister for Tourism and Trade from 1994 to 1997. He is also a two-term Vice President of the European People's Party.Kenny has been a Teachta Dála for Mayo since...
, leader of main opposition party Fine Gael
Fine Gael
Fine Gael is a centre-right to centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland. It is the single largest party in Ireland in the Oireachtas, in local government, and in terms of Members of the European Parliament. The party has a membership of over 35,000...
, accused O'Dea of having committed perjury
Perjury
Perjury, also known as forswearing, is the willful act of swearing a false oath or affirmation to tell the truth, whether spoken or in writing, concerning matters material to a judicial proceeding. That is, the witness falsely promises to tell the truth about matters which affect the outcome of the...
after it emerged remarks which he had sworn under an affidavit
Affidavit
An affidavit is a written sworn statement of fact voluntarily made by an affiant or deponent under an oath or affirmation administered by a person authorized to do so by law. Such statement is witnessed as to the authenticity of the affiant's signature by a taker of oaths, such as a notary public...
not to have said had in fact been said. The remarks related to the alleged connection between a brothel
Brothel
Brothels are business establishments where patrons can engage in sexual activities with prostitutes. Brothels are known under a variety of names, including bordello, cathouse, knocking shop, whorehouse, strumpet house, sporting house, house of ill repute, house of prostitution, and bawdy house...
and Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin is a left wing, Irish republican political party in Ireland. The name is Irish for "ourselves" or "we ourselves", although it is frequently mistranslated as "ourselves alone". Originating in the Sinn Féin organisation founded in 1905 by Arthur Griffith, it took its current form in 1970...
councillor Maurice Quinlivan
Maurice Quinlivan
Maurice Quinlivan is a Sinn Féin politician and a member of Limerick City Council . He gained prominence for being libelled by Willie O'Dea, which resulted in the Willie O'Dea affidavit controversy.-Personal life:...
. These allegations were later proven to be untrue. O'Dea and Quinlivan had settled High Court damages over the incident in December 2009. However, increasing parliamentary pressure in February 2010 propelled the affair back into the spotlight. O'Dea resigned as Minister for Defence on 18 February 2010, with Taoiseach
Taoiseach
The Taoiseach is the head of government or prime minister of Ireland. The Taoiseach is appointed by the President upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas , and must, in order to remain in office, retain the support of a majority in the Dáil.The current Taoiseach is...
Brian Cowen
Brian Cowen
Brian Cowen is a former Irish politician who served as Taoiseach of Ireland from 7 May 2008 to 9 March 2011. He was head of a coalition government led by Fianna Fáil which until 23 January 2011 had the support of the Green Party and independent TDs.Cowen was also leader of Fianna Fáil from 7 May...
assigning himself temporary responsibility for the Department of Defence
Department of Defence (Ireland)
The Department of Defence is the department of the Government of Ireland that is responsible for preserving peace and security in Ireland and abroad...
.
Stephen Collins, writing in The Irish Times
The Irish Times
The Irish Times is an Irish daily broadsheet newspaper launched on 29 March 1859. The editor is Kevin O'Sullivan who succeeded Geraldine Kennedy in 2011; the deputy editor is Paul O'Neill. The Irish Times is considered to be Ireland's newspaper of record, and is published every day except Sundays...
, suggested "Relations between the Coalition partners [Fianna Fáil and the Green Party] may never be the same again after the resignation of Willie O'Dea". According to the Evening Herald
Evening Herald
The Evening Herald is a mid-market tabloid evening newspaper published in Dublin, Ireland by Independent News & Media. It is published Monday-Saturday, and has three editions — City Edition, City Final Edition and National Edition...
, the departure of O'Dea was "the first major casualty of the coalition government". The same newspaper noted that the resignation of O'Dea was the third in two "absolutely calamitous" weeks, following the unexpected departures of George Lee
George Lee (journalist)
George Lee is an Irish economist, journalist, television and radio presenter, and former Fine Gael politician. He worked for RTÉ from 1992 to 2009. He was appointed Economics Editor in 1996. During his time in RTÉ News and Current Affairs he was named Irish Journalist of the Year for uncovering a...
and Déirdre de Búrca
Déirdre de Búrca
Déirdre de Búrca is a Green Party Irish politician and a former member of Seanad Éireann. She had represented the party on Wicklow County Council and Bray Town Council from 1999 to 2007 and in the Seanad from 2007 until her resignation from the parliamentary party in 2010.-Background:Born in...
from Fine Gael and the Green Party respectively.
Background and Defamation controversy
On the 12th of January 2009 three Brazilian women were arrested in an apartment in Limerick City. They were charged the following day with brothel keeping . The three received suspended sentences of six months each and were ordered to leave Limerick City within 3 days. The apartment had been rented out to them by Nessan QuinlivanNessan Quinlivan
Nessan Quinlivan , is a former Provisional IRA member who escaped from Brixton Prison in London on 7 July 1991 along with his cellmate Pearse McAuley, while awaiting trial on charges relating to a suspected IRA plot to assassinate a former brewery company chairman, Sir Charles Tidbury.In April...
, a former Provisional IRA volunteer and the brother of Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin is a left wing, Irish republican political party in Ireland. The name is Irish for "ourselves" or "we ourselves", although it is frequently mistranslated as "ourselves alone". Originating in the Sinn Féin organisation founded in 1905 by Arthur Griffith, it took its current form in 1970...
candidate for Limerick City Council Maurice Quinlivan. The Garda Síochána
Garda Síochána
, more commonly referred to as the Gardaí , is the police force of Ireland. The service is headed by the Commissioner who is appointed by the Irish Government. Its headquarters are located in the Phoenix Park in Dublin.- Terminology :...
stated in the court hearing that Nessan Quinlivan
Nessan Quinlivan
Nessan Quinlivan , is a former Provisional IRA member who escaped from Brixton Prison in London on 7 July 1991 along with his cellmate Pearse McAuley, while awaiting trial on charges relating to a suspected IRA plot to assassinate a former brewery company chairman, Sir Charles Tidbury.In April...
had no knowledge nor no involvement whatsoever and that the women were "pawns" of a larger operation..
The controversy leading to O'Dea's resignation as Minister for Defence centred on remarks he made concerning Maurice Quinlivan to Limerick Leader
Limerick Leader
The Limerick Leader is a weekly local newspaper in Limerick, Ireland. It was founded in 1889. The newspaper is headquartered on O'Connell Street....
journalist Mike Dwane in 2009. During the interview O'Dea made references to the brothel that had operated in the apartment owned by Nessan Quinlivan
Nessan Quinlivan
Nessan Quinlivan , is a former Provisional IRA member who escaped from Brixton Prison in London on 7 July 1991 along with his cellmate Pearse McAuley, while awaiting trial on charges relating to a suspected IRA plot to assassinate a former brewery company chairman, Sir Charles Tidbury.In April...
One of the most damaging of these was:
The interview was published on 10 March 2009. Dwane recorded the interview.
O'Dea swore under oath an affidavit
Affidavit
An affidavit is a written sworn statement of fact voluntarily made by an affiant or deponent under an oath or affirmation administered by a person authorized to do so by law. Such statement is witnessed as to the authenticity of the affiant's signature by a taker of oaths, such as a notary public...
that he had not made this remark. He later retracted this denial after a tape recording of the interview emerged. Damages were paid to Quinlivan by O'Dea following a High Court defamation challenge by Maurice Quinlivan in December 2009. O'Dea apologised for the remarks in court on 21 December.
Events surrounding resignation
In February 2010, there were increased efforts by politicians to explain his behaviour. Fine GaelFine Gael
Fine Gael is a centre-right to centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland. It is the single largest party in Ireland in the Oireachtas, in local government, and in terms of Members of the European Parliament. The party has a membership of over 35,000...
Senator Eugene Regan
Eugene Regan
Eugene Regan is an Irish barrister, Fine Gael politician and a former member of Seanad Éireann.-Early and personal life:He was educated at University College Dublin, University of Brussels and King's Inns. Regan qualified as a barrister in 1985, commenced practice in 1995 and became a Senior...
brought the matter to the attention of the Oireachtas
Oireachtas
The Oireachtas , sometimes referred to as Oireachtas Éireann, is the "national parliament" or legislature of Ireland. The Oireachtas consists of:*The President of Ireland*The two Houses of the Oireachtas :**Dáil Éireann...
and stated that O'Dea ought to resign from office. On 15 February 2010, Labour Party
Labour Party (Ireland)
The Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in the Republic of Ireland. The Labour Party was founded in 1912 in Clonmel, County Tipperary, by James Connolly, James Larkin and William X. O'Brien as the political wing of the Irish Trade Union Congress. Unlike the other main Irish...
TD Jan O'Sullivan
Jan O'Sullivan
Jan O'Sullivan is an Irish Labour Party politician. She is a Teachta Dála for Limerick City constituency and is the current Minister of State for Trade and Development.-Personal life:...
asked that he explain himself as the Minister's Sunday newspaper column indicated he was aware that the interview was being recorded.
When O'Dea protested on 16 February that he had erred unintentionally Labour Party TD Pat Rabbitte
Pat Rabbitte
Pat Rabbitte is an Irish Labour Party politician who has been Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources since March 2011...
said he had "a cheek" to blame forgetfulness. Later that day Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny
Enda Kenny
Enda Kenny is an Irish Fine Gael politician, and has been the Taoiseach since 2011. He has led Fine Gael since 2002. He served as Minister for Tourism and Trade from 1994 to 1997. He is also a two-term Vice President of the European People's Party.Kenny has been a Teachta Dála for Mayo since...
announced he would table a motion of no confidence
Motion of no confidence
A motion of no confidence is a parliamentary motion whose passing would demonstrate to the head of state that the elected parliament no longer has confidence in the appointed government.-Overview:Typically, when a parliament passes a vote of no...
in O'Dea, to be debated in Dáil Éireann
Dáil Éireann
Dáil Éireann is the lower house, but principal chamber, of the Oireachtas , which also includes the President of Ireland and Seanad Éireann . It is directly elected at least once in every five years under the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote...
. The motion was debated on the afternoon of 17 February, with O'Dea passing by 80 votes for and 69 votes against. Fianna Fáil's partners in coalition, the Green Party
Green Party (Ireland)
The Green Party is a green political party in Ireland. It was founded as the Ecology Party of Ireland in 1981 by Dublin teacher Christopher Fettes. The party became the Green Alliance in 1983 and in 1987 was renamed to its current title in English...
, supported O'Dea at this point. Vincent Browne
Vincent Browne
Vincent Browne is an Irish print and broadcast journalist. He is a columnist with The Irish Times and The Sunday Business Post and a part time barrister....
, writing in that day's edition of The Irish Times
The Irish Times
The Irish Times is an Irish daily broadsheet newspaper launched on 29 March 1859. The editor is Kevin O'Sullivan who succeeded Geraldine Kennedy in 2011; the deputy editor is Paul O'Neill. The Irish Times is considered to be Ireland's newspaper of record, and is published every day except Sundays...
, predicted that O'Dea had "nothing to fear" as "Green Party compliance has allowed Fianna Fáil to get away with doing whatever it likes". However, Green Party Chairman Dan Boyle
Dan Boyle (politician)
Dan Boyle is an Irish Green Party politician and party chairperson. He was a Teachta Dála for Cork South Central from 2002–07 and was a member of Seanad Éireann from 2007–11.-Early life and education:...
used Facebook
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
and Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
to express his lack of confidence in O'Dea, saying the man was "compromised" and that he ought to resign. "The treacherous tweet" was one term used to describe what Boyle had done. RTÉ described Boyle's act as "deliberate", suggesting that "its significance could grow were there to be further revelations about the affidavit affair". It was the first indication that the Green Party were not fully supporting O'Dea. By the end of the week it was being seen as central to the outcome of events.
The following morning a series of what were described as "rowdy exchanges" took place in Dáil Éireann forcing it to be suspended for a period. Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny accused O'Dea of having committed perjury, a comment he would not withdraw despite Tánaiste
Tánaiste
The Tánaiste is the deputy prime minister of Ireland. The current Tánaiste is Eamon Gilmore, TD who was appointed on 9 March 2011.- Origins and etymology :...
Mary Coughlan's insistence. Meanwhile, Green Party member Gary Fitzgerald, a former unsuccessful local election candidate, complained to the Garda Síochána
Garda Síochána
, more commonly referred to as the Gardaí , is the police force of Ireland. The service is headed by the Commissioner who is appointed by the Irish Government. Its headquarters are located in the Phoenix Park in Dublin.- Terminology :...
's Bridewell station staff about O'Dea's conduct. An audio recording of the interview emerged in public for the first time and was broadcast repeatedly on national radio. That afternoon O'Dea denied he had committed perjury in a live radio interview with Sean O'Rourke
Sean O'Rourke
Sean O'Rourke is an Irish journalist and broadcaster who works for the state TV company, Raidió Teilifís Éireann . He presents the News At One programme every weekday and is also the host of RTÉ's topical current affairs round-up The Week in Politics....
on RTÉ News at One
RTÉ News at One
RTÉ News at One is a news and current affairs programme broadcast on RTÉ Radio 1. It airs Monday to Friday for 45 minutes at 13:00.The programme is presented by Sean O'Rourke. Dr Gavin Jennings presents on an intermittent basis....
, saying that he had made "a stupid, silly mistake". He was among several TDs who failed to turn up for a parliamentary vote on a finance bill which the government only narrowly won by the casting vote of the Ceann Comhairle
Ceann Comhairle
The Ceann Comhairle is the chairman of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas of Ireland. The person who holds the position is elected by members of the Dáil from among their number in the first session after each general election...
, the first time in almost twenty years that this was needed. O'Dea resigned as Minister for Defence that evening. Taoiseach
Taoiseach
The Taoiseach is the head of government or prime minister of Ireland. The Taoiseach is appointed by the President upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas , and must, in order to remain in office, retain the support of a majority in the Dáil.The current Taoiseach is...
Brian Cowen
Brian Cowen
Brian Cowen is a former Irish politician who served as Taoiseach of Ireland from 7 May 2008 to 9 March 2011. He was head of a coalition government led by Fianna Fáil which until 23 January 2011 had the support of the Green Party and independent TDs.Cowen was also leader of Fianna Fáil from 7 May...
responded to his resignation by assigning himself temporary responsibility for the Department of Defence
Department of Defence (Ireland)
The Department of Defence is the department of the Government of Ireland that is responsible for preserving peace and security in Ireland and abroad...
. Tony Killeen
Tony Killeen
Tony Killeen is a former Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He was a Teachta Dála for the Clare constituency from 1992 to 2011, and also served as Minister of Defence from 2010–11.-Early and personal life:...
was later appointed as Minister of Defence. O'Dea said he decided to resign when it became clear that the Green Party would no longer support the Government if he was to stay in office.
Reaction
Newspapers in Ireland discussed O'Dea's resignation the following day. "Yet more proof that Fianna Fail simply don't get it", The Irish TimesThe Irish Times
The Irish Times is an Irish daily broadsheet newspaper launched on 29 March 1859. The editor is Kevin O'Sullivan who succeeded Geraldine Kennedy in 2011; the deputy editor is Paul O'Neill. The Irish Times is considered to be Ireland's newspaper of record, and is published every day except Sundays...
informed its readers. The Irish Independent
Irish Independent
The Irish Independent is Ireland's largest-selling daily newspaper that is published in both compact and broadsheet formats. It is the flagship publication of Independent News & Media.-History:...
said the Green Party was responsible for O'Dea's resignation and noted that he would receive compensation of €100,000.
Defamation victim Councillor Maurice Quinlivan
Maurice Quinlivan
Maurice Quinlivan is a Sinn Féin politician and a member of Limerick City Council . He gained prominence for being libelled by Willie O'Dea, which resulted in the Willie O'Dea affidavit controversy.-Personal life:...
welcomed the Minister's resignation, describing his position as "untenable" and expressing joy that the "sorry saga" had been "finally put to bed".
Dan Boyle said the Green Party would remain as Fianna Fáil's coalition partners after the resignation of O'Dea.
Fine Gael TD Michael Noonan
Michael Noonan
Michael Noonan is an Irish Fine Gael politician and has been the Minister for Finance since March 2011. He has been a Teachta Dála for the Limerick East and later Limerick City constituencies since 1981....
paid tribute to O'Dea, speaking of his "respect" for the former minister and acknowledging: "It is regrettable that Limerick will be without a Cabinet minister for the foreseeable future".
Fine Gael TD Dinny McGinley
Dinny McGinley
Denis "Dinny" McGinley is an Irish Fine Gael politician. He has been a Teachta Dála for the Donegal South West constituency since February 1982. He was appointed Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs by Taoiseach Enda Kenny on 10 March 2011.-Background:McGinley was born and brought up in...
criticised the Government for their handling of the affair, saying it had "brought standards in the Dáil to a new low".
O'Dea's first public comments following his resignation came on 19 February 2010:
O'Dea also admitted for the first time that the Green Party had pushed him aside.
Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy
Fachtna Murphy
Fachtna Murphy was the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána from 2007 to 2010. Prior to his appointment he was the Deputy Commissioner with responsibility for operational policing strategies in An Garda Síochána. He grew up in Timoleague, County Cork...
will decide soon whether to investigate the affair.
Former RTÉ 2fm
RTÉ 2fm
RTÉ 2fm, or 2FM as it is more commonly referred to, is Raidió Teilifís Éireann's second national radio station. It broadcasts popular music programming aimed at a young Irish audience.- History :...
dic jockey and friend of O'Dea Michael McNamara
Michael McNamara
Michael McNamara is a former player and captain for Sligo Rovers. He currently plays for the Sligo. On his first year with Sligo GAA they won the Connacht Championship for the first time since 1975 after beating Galway. A former member of the Arcadia Broncos lacrosse team, McNamara takes the...
described O'Dea's departure as "a bad day for Limerick".
In Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
on February 20 Green Party leader John Gormley
John Gormley
John Gormley is an Irish politician. He was the leader of the Irish Green Party from 2007 to 2011, and was a Teachta Dála for the Dublin South East constituency from 1997 to 2011. He served as Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government from 2007–11...
said that prior to the Minister's resignation he had told Taoiseach Brian Cowen that O'Dea's position was "untenable and the stability of the Government would be under threat as a consequence and it would prove a real distraction" if he did go.
On 18 March 2010 a http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/Exclusive-Limerick-LeaderUL-poll-6337.6162161.jp major new opinion poll conducted for the Limerick Leader by researchers based at the University of Limerick has found that almost 63% of the local population believes it was necessary for Willie O'Dea to resign as Defence Minister.
Song
Limerick rap duo The RubberbanditsThe Rubberbandits
The Rubberbandits are the award-winning comedy hip-hop duo of Blindboy Boat Club and Mr. Chrome from Limerick, Ireland. Primarily a satirical stage and television act, they have performed throughout Ireland, the UK and USA with shows at events such as Electric Picnic Oxegen and the Bulmers...
achieved success online with their lampoon record "A Song for Willie O'Dea".
External links
- Willie O'Dea's letter of resignation
- Political responses: Taoiseach Brian Cowen (Fianna Fáil) Enda Kenny (Fine Gael) Eamon Gilmore (Labour Party)
- Willie O'Dea interview with Aengus Fanning in the Sunday IndependentSunday IndependentThe Sunday Independent is a broadsheet Sunday newspaper published in Ireland by Independent News and Media plc. The newspaper is edited by Aengus Fanning, and is the biggest selling Irish Sunday newspaper by a large margin ; average circulation of 291,323 between June 2004 and January 2005,...
- Limerick Leader/UL poll: 63% in Limerick say Willie O'Dea had to resign
- Willie O'Dea Interview on controversy given to RTE1 Radio News at One