In a dramatic turn of events, Jim Gavin, the Fianna Fáil candidate for the Irish presidential election, announced his withdrawal from the campaign on Sunday, citing a ‘mistake not in keeping with my character.’ Gavin, a former Dublin Gaelic football manager, was set to compete against Independent TD Catherine Connolly and Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys in the October 24 election. His decision followed allegations published in the Irish Independent that he owed €3,300 to a former tenant. Gavin addressed the issue during RTÉ’s presidential debate, stating he was ‘very sorry’ and would ‘deal with it with urgency.’ Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher described the withdrawal as a ‘shell shock,’ criticizing the party’s lack of due diligence in vetting candidates. Fianna Fáil deputy leader Jack Chambers defended the nomination process, emphasizing that the tenancy issue was never disclosed. Taoiseach Micheál Martin supported Gavin’s decision, calling it ‘difficult but correct.’ Despite his withdrawal, Gavin’s name will remain on the ballot due to Irish electoral laws, though his chances of winning are slim. The Fianna Fáil parliamentary party will meet to discuss the campaign’s future, as the party grapples with the fallout from this unexpected development.