In a surprising turn of events, Fianna Fáil’s presidential candidate Jim Gavin has announced his immediate withdrawal from the Irish presidential election, less than three weeks before the scheduled polling day. Gavin, who was poised to compete against Independent TD Catherine Connolly and Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys for the role of Ireland’s head of state, cited personal reasons for his decision. In a statement released on Sunday evening, Gavin acknowledged that he had ‘made a mistake that was not in keeping with my character and the standards I set myself.’ He emphasized the importance of family and personal integrity, stating, ‘Taking all these considerations on board, I have decided to withdraw from the presidential election contest with immediate effect and return to the arms of my family.’ This unexpected development has left the political landscape in flux, with analysts speculating on the potential impact on the remaining candidates and the election’s outcome. Further updates are expected as the situation unfolds.