INDEFENSIBLE

THE Green Party has claimed the head of Willie O’Dea, who bowed to the inevitable and resigned as Defence Minister after a day of unrelenting pressure caused by his smearing of a political rival.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen announced Mr O’Dea’s departure in a short statement issued just before 9pm, confirming that the minister had tendered his resignation and that the President had accepted it.

It raises the possibility of a minor reshuffle that could potentially see other sitting ministers come under pressure to retain their positions.