Willie O’Dea would consider Independent run if Fianna Fáil went into another coalition 

The Limerick TD is 40 years in the Dáil and he joked his memoir will be called WillieLeaks - if he decides to write it.

Willie O'Dea criticised his party leader and Taoiseach Micheál Martin for extending a power-sharing deal with Fine Gael after the 2020 general election, saying the arrangement has alienated his party from its power-base. Picture: Conor McCabe Photography.

Loyal Fianna Fáil servant Willie O’Dea has threatened to leave the party after four decades and run as an Independent Dáil deputy, rather than support the party in another coalition government anchored by a confidence and supply deal.

Mr O’Dea, who last night celebrated 40 years as a Fianna Fáil TD in his native Limerick, criticised his party leader and Taoiseach Micheál Martin for extending a power-sharing deal with Fine Gael after the 2020 general election, saying the arrangement has alienated his party from its power-base.