Second time lucky as Banville wins Booker

IRISH author John Banville confounded all predictions last night by winning the prestigious Man Booker prize for his novel, The Sea.

The Wexford-born writer beat off the favourite, English author Julian Barnes, to take the coveted prize which was announced at a special ceremony in London. Mr Barnes was the clear favourite.

It is a case of second time lucky for Mr Banville, having previously been shortlisted for the €74,000 prize in 1989, for his novel, The Book of Evidence.