Election Special 2002: NOONAN: I RESIGN

FINE Gael leader Michael Noonan dramatically quit last night after his party suffered a disastrous electoral defeat.

A string of high-profile TDs, including Nora Owen, Alan Dukes and Alan Shatter were dumped by the voters - with analysts suggesting Fine Gael could lose up to 24 seats.

Meanwhile, Fianna Fail look on course to secure an overall majority, while Sinn Fein, the Greens and the PDs enjoyed their best election campaign since independence.

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