Looking back on a colourful career

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

Educated at the Patrician Brothers College in Ballyfin, Co Laois, and University College Dublin, it has been said of him that he would canvass even on Christmas Day.

He studied law in college and qualified as a barrister at King’s Inns, Dublin. He also has an accountancy qualification from the Institute of Certified Accountants.