Colum Coomey met up this week with former Minister for Defence, Willie O’Dea
Off to UK for a five-day break
JUST like Alice in Wonderland, was how former Minister of Defence Willie O’Dea described his experiences over the last few months. “From what I was put through, It was akin to something out of Alice in Wonderland; pass the sentence now and have the trial later”.
Delighted that an investigation into allegations that he committed perjury is now over, the barrister said:
“I’m happy that it’s all over. I’m happy for my family too… they’ve been through an awful lot but it’s over now an we need to look forward”.
However, despite his ejection from the top table of government, it has not quenched his desire to contribute at national level.
“I’ve been reading a lot about the financial situation and I intend to do a lot more research as I plan to continue to offer solutions to the fiscal crisis”.
A five day holiday in the UK with his wife in August will give him an opportunity to reflect on what was for him personally a disastrous year.
Like the fantasy novel, his story proved popular and he still questions the logic of what he referred to as a ‘relatively small incident’ that decided his fate.
At the beginning of the year, poll topper Willie was sucked into a hole in Leinster House.
After surviving a vote of no confidence a little Green birdie tweeted, and the topsy turvy realm of the Dail turned him upside down and tossed him out of the Cabinet.
A long tumble down a short hole saw Willie lose his job, a lump of cash and the ministerial car, something he won’t forget in a hurry.
“I’ve been hit on several fronts; A. The whole money issue, B. Losing my job and C. The Garda investigation”.
No longer a minister, Willie won’t be attending as many tea parties… however, he has not lost his appetite for politics.
He has no intention of having a croquet-filled summer; “I will be working the constituency, we have to resolve the Respite situation and I will also be focusing on bringing investment into the region”.
There has been a mixed reaction to Willie’s experience from the Limerick public.
According to him, he has received a lot of support since his resignation and many advised he should not have resigned, having expressed the opinion he was used a scapegoat.
On the other hand there are those who want to see Willie in the stocks; not only outraged at his behaviour, they are angry with the economic failure of the region where he was a fully-fledged Minister for seven years.
Whichever side of the fence you sit on, Willie O’Dea will be sitting into his car to take his driving test in September instead of taking a place at the Cabinet table to discuss the budget.
The Limerick Post revealed some weeks ago that Mr O’Dea had allowed his driving licence to lapse, had just passed his theory test and was awaiting the call for his final examination.
For more from Colum Coomey visit the Limerick Post News Blog
