Expected Green tide fails to materialise

THE expected Green tide last night turned direction and drowned the party’s hopes of substantial General Election gains.

Instead of taking their tally from six TDs into double figures, three of their biggest names were left fighting for survival while the high profile breakthrough candidates failed to deliver the goods.

The poor showing left a serious question mark over the future of party leader Trevor Sargent who struggled to get re-elected in his Dublin North constituency. The Greens could still be needed by Fianna Fáil to form a stable governing coalition, depending on how the final dozen or so tight races shape up.