No place to hide for Gilmore and crushed Labour

It was hardly surprising that Eamon Gilmore was the only party leader who failed to turn up to the count centre in Ashbourne.

In the same constituency just two years ago his Labour Party topped the poll. Now, as its vote trailed behind even the relatively unknown political movement, Direct Democracy Now, the question being asked was not just where is Gilmore, but where are he and his party going?

There are times in politics when individual events of themselves have little import, but trigger a chain reaction with far reaching consequences.