Blow for Limerick as city ‘loses its voice in cabinet’

IT was the first time for as long as the regulars could remember that Willie O’Dea wasn’t sitting in his usual spot in the Windmill Bar on Henry Street, where he holds a clinic every Friday at teatime.

An alcove near the front door is the former minister’s preferred haunt when dealing with the steady line of callers which could include constituents, business figures or members of various organisations on any Friday.

The Windmill was very handy for Mr O’Dea, as he lives just up the street in Naughton’s Place, but he was nowhere to be seen yesterday as media camped outside his house.

Down in the Windmill, bar manager for the past 26 years Tim Hennessy said: “He likes to sit in the same place where there is a bit of privacy. I have known him for years coming in every Friday and other times.”

Mr Hennessy, a native of Midleton, said the former minister was always approachable no matter how busy he was on his Friday visits.

“I am very disappointed for him and it’s bad for the city that Limerick has lost its voice in the cabinet.

“He is a man of the people and he’s the only government minister you would see going about like anybody else without officials and there’s no airs and graces with Willie. He’s always approachable and there’s no bother people in the bar going up to him for advice,” he said.

Ger Ryan from Lansdowne Park said he had only contacted Mr O’Dea once to get something done.

“I had contacted another local politician about a pothole on the road near my home four times and nothing was done. I rang Willie O’Dea and the city council were out the next morning to repair the road. He mixes with people; other politicians wouldn’t look at you,” Mr Ryan said.

Gerry Moore who lives in St Joseph’s Street, like Mr O’Dea is a Friday regular at the Windmill.

Mr Moore said: “Willie is a good worker for the people. He’s the kind of man you can approach. I only once went to him to get a minor thing sorted. What he said was said on the spur of the moment.”

But Teresa McCally, who serves food in the Windmill, said the minister’s resignation made no difference to her. “He wasn’t great for me,” she said.