Age, Biography and Wiki

Willie O'Dea (William Gerard O'Dea) was born on 1 November, 1952 in Limerick, Ireland, is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician (b. 1952). Discover Willie O'Dea's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 71 years old?

Popular As William Gerard O'Dea
Occupation N/A
Age 71 years old
Zodiac Sign Scorpio
Born 1 November 1952
Birthday 1 November
Birthplace Limerick, Ireland
Nationality Ireland

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 1 November. He is a member of famous politician with the age 71 years old group.

Willie O'Dea Height, Weight & Measurements

At 71 years old, Willie O'Dea height not available right now. We will update Willie O'Dea's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
Height Not Available
Weight Not Available
Body Measurements Not Available
Eye Color Not Available
Hair Color Not Available

Who Is Willie O'Dea's Wife?

His wife is Geraldine Kennedy (m. 1990)

Family
Parents Not Available
Wife Geraldine Kennedy (m. 1990)
Sibling Not Available
Children Not Available

Willie O'Dea Net Worth

His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Willie O'Dea worth at the age of 71 years old? Willie O'Dea’s income source is mostly from being a successful politician. He is from Ireland. We have estimated Willie O'Dea's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income politician

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Timeline

1952

Willie O'Dea (born 1 November 1952) is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Limerick City constituency since 2011, and previously from 1982 to 2011 for the Limerick East constituency.

O'Dea was born in Limerick in 1952, but he was raised in Kilteely, County Limerick.

He was educated at the Patrician Brothers College in Ballyfin, County Laois, and University College Dublin where he studied law.

He qualified as a barrister at King's Inns, Dublin and as an accountant from the Institute of Certified Accountants.

He worked as both a barrister and as an accountant before embarking on a career in politics.

He also lectured in the law faculties of both University College Dublin and the National Institute of Higher Education, Limerick (now the University of Limerick).

As a lecturer, he taught future cabinet colleague and Taoiseach Brian Cowen.

O'Dea is married to Geraldine Kennedy.

He writes regularly for the Sunday Independent and occasionally for other national newspapers.

O'Dea first held political office as a Fianna Fáil member of Limerick County Council.

1980

Like his former constituency colleague Desmond O'Malley, O'Dea was opposed to Charles Haughey's leadership throughout the 1980s, becoming a member of the so-called Gang of 22.

1981

He first stood for election to Dáil Éireann in Limerick East at the 1981 general election, but was unsuccessful.

1982

He was elected to the Dáil on his second attempt at the February 1982 general election, capturing Fianna Fáil's second seat.

1985

When O'Malley founded Progressive Democrats in 1985 and left Fianna Fáil, O'Dea became the only Fianna Fáil TD in the five-seat Limerick East constituency.

1992

He served on that authority until 1992.

In January 1992, after Albert Reynolds succeeded Charles Haughey as leader of Fianna Fáil and Taoiseach in coalition with the Progressive Democrats.

O'Dea was appointed as a Minister of State at the Department of Justice.

1993

In January 1993, in the Fianna Fáil–Labour Party coalition government, O'Dea was reappointed at Justice with the additional appointment as Minister of State at the Department of Health.

1994

He held these positions until December 1994, when the government collapsed.

1997

After the 1997 general election, Fianna Fáil were back in government in coalition with the Progressive Democrats and O'Dea was appointed a Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science.

Here he had responsibility for Adult Education and the School Transport Scheme.

1998

He oversaw reform and increased investment in adult education and back to school initiatives, starting with the launch of Green Paper in November 1998.

2002

Following the 2002 general election, O'Dea was appointed Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform with special responsibility for Equality and Disability Issues.

His main responsibility during this period was the passage of the Disabilities Bill, which the government had been forced to withdraw in early 2002 in the teeth of opposition from the disability sector.

2004

He has served as Minister for Defence from 2004 to 2010, and was a Minister of State in different departments from 1992 to 1994, and again from 1997 to 2004.

After a number of changes, including a form of the independent assessment of needs demanded by the disability organisations, O'Dea introduced a new bill in September 2004 along with an implementation package.

In September 2004, O'Dea was appointed Minister for Defence in a cabinet reshuffle.

His tenure commenced as the army deafness compensation issue was starting to come to an end.

2005

In November 2005, O'Dea was photographed during a media event at the Curragh Camp pointing an automatic pistol at a photographer.

The photo appeared on the front page of The Irish Times the following day.

O'Dea apologised saying that it was not his intention to glamorise gun crime.

As Minister for Defence, O'Dea prioritised two particular issues: the recruitment of more women to the Defence Forces and the promotion of more serving non-commissioned members to the commissioned ranks, often called "promotion from the ranks".

2006

He also presided over Ireland's second tour in Lebanon in late 2006, as part of UNIFIL 2 and participation in the EUFOR mission to Chad.

O'Dea is highly identified with his native Limerick.

Three main issues have dominated his recent pronouncements on Limerick: Shannon Airport, Dell and gangland crime.

2007

In August 2007, he broke ranks with cabinet colleagues to speak out against Aer Lingus's decision to cease London Heathrow Airport flights from Shannon.

2008

In December 2008, O'Dea and Tánaiste Mary Coughlan flew to Dell's Corporate HQ in Texas, in a last-ditch and ultimately futile attempt to stop the closure of Dell's manufacturing plant in Raheen, Limerick.

Manufacturing was moved to Poland, with the loss of about two thirds of the jobs at Dell's Limerick operation.

The murder of two innocent men in Limerick within months of each other: Shane Geoghegan and Roy Collins increased pressure on O'Dea locally, as a member of the cabinet, to secure changes to the law and greater resources to tackle Limerick city's gangland crime.

2010

On 5 February 2010, O'Dea announced that the government would not deliver its commitments to fund the Limerick Regeneration project.