Niall wrote it, and Willie Signed it

But Willie didn’t really know what it was he was signing.

Willie O’Dea thought he was putting his signiture to a leaflet for Niall Collins when he signed the dotted line.

In reality, he was signing a letter urging former former constituents to give their Number One vote to Niall Collins. 1,300 copies of the letter were sent to members of the public who became residents in West Limerick following a boundary redraw.

This has raised the ire of fellow Fianna Failler John Cregan who has accused Mr. Collins of Dirty Tricks in the campaign.

Anyway, here is the text of the letter which Niall sent out to his potential voters.

A Chairde,

I always took great pride in representing you and your family in Dail Eireann up until the recent Constituency Boundary change, which means as of now you are in West Limerick – My loss, of course, is their gain.

I would like to ask, as a personal favour, for your support in the coming General Election, for a new young Dail candidate – NIALL COLLINS – in West Limerick – in an effort to win the Second Seat there for Bertie Ahern and Fianna Fail.

NIALL COLLINS is a very able Member of Limerick County Council for the Bruff Electoral Area and has clearly shown to all of us, by his work for the people, that he would be a solid, committed T.D. in Dail Eireann.

My request to you is to help NIALL COLLINS as best you can and continue your support for the outgoing T.D., John Cregan who is also a good worthwhile Public representative in Dail Eireann.

Best wishes

Yours sincerely

Willie O’Dea T.D.
Minister for Defence