Army of canvassers key to O'Dea success

The election’s top vote-getter (so far) Willie O’Dea had an army of 700 canvassers knocking on doors, it emerged tonight.

Fianna Fáil's Brian Cowen may edge past O'Dea in the popularity stakes if the first count confirms figures from the tallies that make him the politician with most first preferences in the country.