Pint-sized O’Dea tackled rugby giant on Shannon

PINT-SIZED Defence Minister Willie O’Dea asked a 6ft 3in former rugby player out to fight after a pub confrontation over Shannon Airport, it was claimed yesterday.

The incident is reported to have happened after Mr O’Dea called to the award-winning South’s bar in Limerick last Saturday night with Tánaiste Brian Cowen.

The people at the centre of the claims, John Fahey, who heads the Meet Limerick/Shannon Conferencing Promotion Group and Shannon-based Aer Lingus workers’ spokeswoman Geraldine Morrissey, yesterday demanded an apology from the minister over his alleged behaviour and remarks.