The Progressive Democrats a new political party fight a general election for the first time and win 14 seats. This extract from coverage of the election shows Dessie O'Malley being elected with his running mate Peadar Clohessy also elected. RTÉ interviews both men at the count centre in Limerick.

Meanwhile, in Dublin South-East, another Progressive Democrat candidate, Michael McDowell, is elected for the first time. McDowell went on to become leader of the PDs in 2006.

This extract is taken from 'Today Tonight Election '87' which was RTÉ's results programme for the 1987general election.

On 17 February 1987, the fourth general election of the 1980s was held. Labour had withdrawn from coalition over budgetary issues, and the Taoiseach, Garret Fitzgerald, dissolved the Dáil. A new party, The Progressive Democrats, fought the election for the first time. The PDs formed in 1985 and, led by former Fianna Fáil minister Dessie O'Malley, won 14 seats to become Ireland's third biggest party.

'Today Tonight' was a RTÉ current affairs programme with up-to-the-minute coverage of events at home and abroad. 'Today Tonight' was first broadcast on Monday, 6 October, 1980 and ran for 12 years until 1992. Edited by Joe Mulholland, the original presenters included Barry Cowan, Brian Farrell and Olivia O'Leary. 'Today Tonight' aired from Monday to Thursday on RTÉ 1.

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