Progressive Democrats leader Michael McDowell has announced he is quitting political life following his defeat in Dublin South East yesterday. Mark Hennessy, Political Correspondent, reports.
Mr McDowell was the highest-profile general election loser, along with the Socialist Party's Joe Higgins and Fine Gael's Liam Twomey.
Sinn Féin's Mary Lou McDonald failed to win the seat many had predicted for her in Dublin Central. Fianna Fáil's Minister of State Brian Lenihan said Sinn Féin's "poor" election performance was significantly down to Mr McDowell's attack on the party's president Gerry Adams in last week's leaders' television debate.
Leaving the RDS last night, Mr McDowell said: "I love my country and I am deeply ambitious for it, but at this point I have to say with this outcome at this stage of my career it makes it very clear that as far as I am concerned my period of public life as a public representative is over."
Mr McDowell, who was said to be upset as left the Ballsbridge count centre, becomes the shortest-serving political party leader in the history of the State. He replaced Mary Harney last September. The President of the Progressive Democrats, Minister of State Tom Parlon, who faces the loss of his Laois/Offaly seat unless he does extraordinarly well on transfers, said Mr McDowell's decision was "a bombshell".
Mr McDowell's lack of discussion with colleagues about his decision was indicated by Mr Parlon, who said he only found out about it when he went for a sandwich.
Describing him as "a great and committed politician", Mr Parlon said: "Certainly I was disappointed all the more because there was a major cheer in the pub where I just stepped out to get a drink. It just shows the fickle nature of the Irish public because I think there was no more committed politician or patriot than Michael McDowell."
The PDs' deputy leader, Liz O'Donnell said Mr McDowell seemed "quite determined", although she felt it was a decision "made in the heat of the moment".
She said that she believed that Ms Harney would take over at the helm of the party once more.
Last night, the party remained hopeful that it could hold on to a place in government if Fianna Fáil wins close to the 83 seats needed to secure a Dáil majority if the Ceann Comhairle's post is accepted by an Opposition or Independent TD.
The Socialist Party's Mr Higgins lost out in Dublin West after Labour TD Joan Burton held off his challenge following a strong performance from Fine Gael's Leo Varadkar.
The defeat of Sinn Fein's Mary Lou McDonald in Dublin Central was a major blow for the party, following an intensive campaign.
In addition, the party surprisingly lost one of its five outgoing deputies, Seán Crowe from Dublin South West, after a strong showing by Fianna Fáil.
Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty in Donegal South West, who had once been the party's strongest tip to win a Dáil seat, also failed, following a resurgence in Fine Gael's vote, with victory coming for Dinny McGinley, who had announced his retirement only to change his mind just months before the election.
Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams acknowledged the party had not had a good day, but he blamed the rise in Fianna Fáil's vote in the past week of the campaign.
"They ran an excellent campaign, and they are to be congratulated for that," he said.