Cregan red-faced as O’Dea admits signing letter

THE campaign of outgoing Limerick West Fianna Fáil TD John Cregan was left with ministerial egg on its face yesterday.

Mr Cregan and his director of elections, former defence minister Michael J Noonan, alleged a letter signed by Minister Willie O’Dea backing FF newcomer Cllr Niall Collins, who is the other FF candidate in Limerick West, was sent out without the minister’s knowledge.

Mr Noonan went so far as to allege the Collins camp were up to “dirty tricks”.

However, a spokeswoman for Mr O’Dea, the Limerick East front runner, yesterday confirmed the minister had in fact signed the letter of endorsement.

Mr Collins sent the letter to 3,000 voters in the Bruff, Knockainey, Knocklong and Uregare electoral districts, which transferred from Limerick East to Limerick West in a boundary revision.

Mr Cregan voiced his fury this week, when the Irish Examiner revealed the letter had been sent out to voters.

Mr Cregan and his director of elections Michael J Noonan claimed Mr O’Dea did not know of the existence of the letter and Mr Noonan demanded an investigation into the matter.

Mr Collins was adamant the letter of support was signed by Mr O’Dea and sent to his office by a named official in the minister’s office.

Confirming Mr O’Dea had in fact signed the letter, a spokeswoman for the minister yesterday tried to play down the matter.

She said: “It was supposed to be a local leaflet and he (O’Dea) was surprised by this. He did not mean to upset John Cregan. In fact, he did something similar for Cllr Cregan in the last election.”

However, the actions of the Cregan campaign team angered some in West Limerick Fianna Fáil.

One prominent cumann officer said: “I would have thought John wold have kept his thoughts to himself until he fully checked the matter. Young Collins outmanoeuvred him in a good and fair election move. To cast aspersions on it was not very wise.”

Mr Collins said yesterday he did not want to make any further comment but one of his campaign team said: “He was working his head as any candidate would to get his message over to voters that he has support from Mr O’Dea.”