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WE’VE BOLTED from Buswells Hotel on Dublin’s Kildare Street, opposite the Dáil – too noisy and busy – and are trotting briskly down Molesworth Street when Joe Higgins slows with a heavy sigh: “Oh God, now I’ve to meet these f***in’ Greens.” Walking towards us are John Gormley and his press officer, Liam Reid, pleasant men in good times and bad – now, times are indisputably bad, in their case, writes KATHY SHERIDAN

The pale Green leader graciously extends a hand and a murmured congratulations. There’s an awkward silence while Higgins nods his head hopelessly, like a teacher confronting the same brat caught mitching again. “I saidthey’re comin’ after you, John, I toldyou, I told you nineyears ago . . .”