THE Department of Defence has denied suggestions that "electioneering" was behind a decision to send former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to lay a wreath for United Nations veterans.

Bertie Ahern was joined by his brother Councillor Maurice Ahern, a candidate in the forthcoming by-election in Dublin Central, at the ceremony in Arbour Hill in Dublin last Friday.

The Department of Defence said that Minister Willie O'Dea was not available and was involved in a similar ceremony to commemorate peacekeepers in Limerick at the time.

One military source claimed advantage had been taken of the Irish UN Veteran's Association, saying: "There were people very unhappy with Maurice Ahern turning up and believe it was blatant electioneering.

"Some of them were expecting the minister to be there and sending Bertie Ahern, and his brother, who just so happens to be running in an election, seems very cynical."

The Department of Defence said: "The minister asked Bertie Ahern to lay the wreath and the UN Veteran's Association couldn't speak highly enough of his efforts.

"This was an occasion to mark the international day of the peacekeeper and Willie O'Dea has done his level best in trying to raise awareness of this organisation and the work they do.

"Maurice Ahern was also at the ceremony but certainly no concerns were raised, and it seems as if some people are trying to create an issue where there is none."

Dan Garland of the Irish UN Veteran's Association said that while Willie O'Dea had laid the wreath in the past, they were perfectly happy with the replacement who was invited.

He said: "The very first phone call we received from the department explained that unfortunately Willie would not be able to do it but that he would ask Bertie instead.

"This is quite a low-profile ceremony. We are a non-political group and certainly if we thought there was anything underhand about this, we would not get involved."