Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has instructed a senior party official to seek a more comprehensive statement from Metropolitan Mayor of Limerick Councillor Jerry O’Dea about the circumstances of a traffic accident in which he was involved last December.
Councillor O’Dea has confirmed he was involved in a car crash last December and that he co-operated with gardaí.
He said he was informed in early May before he was elected Metropolitan Mayor that no further action would be taken against him, and that he considered the matter closed.
Mr Martin has asked the party's general secretary Sean Dorgan to contact Councillor O’Dea and urge him to give a more detailed public explanation.
There have also been calls from other political parties on Limerick city and county council, from Fine Gael, Labour, Sinn Féin and the Anti-Austerity Alliance, for Mr O’Dea to provide more clarity on the circumstances of the accident.
Some Councillors believe the controversy is damaging to the office of Mayor, and a fuller statement on the matter is required.
An internal garda inquiry is now under way into why no charges or a summons was issued to Councillor O’Dea following the crash.
Fianna Fáil's Justice Spokesperon, Niall Collins said he would not be making any comment on the matter, while the garda inquiry is under way.
