The Latest Breaking News from Fianna Fáil

Junior coalition partner loses all but one of 12 seats, while gangland figure Gerry Hutch loses election bid

But Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald vows to fight for left alliance for government as Greens face wipeout

With a housing emergency weighing heavily on voters’ minds, anything could happen at the polls on Friday, says journalist Justine McCarthy

Mary Lou McDonald’s party has risen to second place in the polls but analysts say the chances of victory are slim

Fine Gael had looked sure of victory on Friday before leader’s disastrous interaction with care worker

The first leaders’ debate of Ireland’s current election campaign featured no fewer than ten party leaders. While this format was perhaps a questionable editorial choice, it was also simply a reflection of the now very diffuse – and quite messy – character of Ireland’s political system.

Fine Gael is seeking an unprecedented fourth successive term in office and could well achieve it on 29 November

Editorial: Simon Harris has called a vote for 29 November because he is leading in the polls. But the current economic boom masks serious inequalities

Announcement comes as polls show Simon Harris’s Fine Gael and coalition partners Fianna Fáil in position to win fourth term