O’Dea ‘support letter’ sparks dirty tricks claim

DEFENCE Minister Willie O’Dea was last night at the centre of a bitter row between two Fianna Fáil candidates.

A letter with the minister’s signature was sent out to about 3,000 voters in Limerick West. It called on them to give their vote preference to FF newcomer Cllr Niall Collins ahead of outgoing TD John Cregan.

Mr Cregan said he was very angry, but had been assured by the Limerick East-based minister that he had not put out any such letter.