McDowell concedes defeat

Tánaiste Michael McDowell tonight conceded he had lost his seat in the General Election.

The Progressive Democrat leader admitted he had lost to the Green Party's John Gormley in the Dublin South East constituency for the third time in three elections.

The Tánaiste said: "My period in public life as a public representative is over."

Mr McDowell took over as party leader just six months ago and had pledged to double its tally of eight seats.

His failure to hold on to his seat and the loss of seats including that of his deputy leader Liz O'Donnell in Dublin South now casts doubt over his position as PD leader.

It also raises the prospect of him leaving politics forever.

It is the third time the outgoing Minister for Justice has lost his seat in less than 20 years.

Life in politics has been a rollercoaster for the outspoken barrister since he helped found his party in 1985. In six elections, he has been elected three times and missed out three times.

In 1997, his Green Party rival Mr Gormley beat him by just 27 votes after a week-long count.

Following the last election in June 2002, he was appointed Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, and in September 2006 Mr McDowell took over as party leader when Minister for Health Mary Harney stepped down and handed over the role of Tánaiste.

Mr McDowell nearly pulled his PD party out of the Fianna Fáil-led Government during the General Election campaign.

He believed Taoiseach Bertie Ahern had further questions to answer on controversies surrounding his personal finances - an issue that dominated media coverage.

Mr Ahern later published a personal statement that sought to put the crisis to rest.

Mr McDowell was the harshest critic of Sinn Féin and the IRA within the Government.

He previously accused Sinn Féin leaders Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness of sitting on the IRA's ruling Army Council.

A close friend of Mr McDowell said tonight: "It is ironic that having contributed to this election to limiting Sinn Fein's growth and scaring voters into rejecting a left-wing government, this strategist has ended up losing his own seat."

Mr McDowell is a grandson of Eoin MacNeill, founder of the Irish Volunteers and co-founder of the Gaelic League.

Mr Gormley, who had an angry spat during the election with the Progressive Democrat leader on the streets of the constituency, sympathised with Mr McDowell.

"I wish Michael McDowell and his family the very best because I know what it is like," the victorious Green candidate said.

"I have been through the ringer today and I am sure he has. I think that many people do not appreciate just how difficult an election campaign can be.

"For some people an election campaign is a bit like reality TV but for us it is a difficult situation. So I wish Michael, Niamh his wife and his family all the very best."

An emotional Michael McDowell speaks repeatedly of "gratitude", "privilege" and "honour" as he concedes defeat in the General Election and retires from politics. "I love my country," he said. "I am deeply ambitious for it."

The Green Party's John Gormley offers his condolences to long-time political adversary Micheal McDowell.

The Rumble in Ranelagh: Click here to listen to the now-famous heated exchange between John Gormley and Michael McDowell on the campaign trail.