WILLIE O’DEA, recognised as one of the biggest Fianna Fáil vote catchers in his bailiwick, was born in Limerick in 1952.

EVEN Defence Minister Willie O’Dea cannot have been surprised to have found himself isolated by his Cabinet colleagues yesterday. After maintaining a steadfast silence, it is unimaginable that the Taoiseach or any of his ministers would now make any statement that might undermine Aer Lingus.

FIANNA FÁIL councillors yesterday called an emergency meeting with all elected party members in the Shannon region in an effort to lobby support for Government intervention.

SHELL-SHOCKED is the only way to describe Harlequins women’s hockey side at the end of their All-Ireland Club Championship qualifier on Saturday.

The remains of the late Aer Lingus chairman Bernie Cahill will be removed the church in his home town in Schull, Co Cork later today.