FF faces meltdown if Donegal collapse is repeated

FIANNA FÁIL was last night facing a Dáil meltdown with the prospect of returning fewer than 30 TDs at the looming national poll if its dismal Donegal South West by-election showing is repeated across the country.

The party’s vote collapsed in what was its fourth safest constituency as Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty powered to a commanding victory.

He took just under 40% of the first preference votes as Fianna Fáil saw its share plummet from 50.3% in 2007 to 21.2%.