From attack dog to victim to one-man opera

IN his interview with Seán O’Rourke on RTÉ’s News at One (Februray 18), Willie O’Dea attempted to clutch at all the usual straws when a politician is caught doing wrong in this country.

From literally declaring himself a victim to attacking anyone who dared question him, O’Dea was a virtual one- man opera. My favourite standard Irish political guff was his declaration that “this has been hard on me and my family”. There is surely nothing more disgusting than the “hit me with my baby in my arms” defence so beloved of Fianna Fáil politicians.

Bertie Ahern perfected the art of dragging your own family into politics and then crying your eyes out about the fact that your children have been dragged into politics.