Late on Sunday night, former Dublin GAA manager Jim Gavin released a statement announcing his immediate withdrawal from the presidential campaign, sending shockwaves through Fianna Fáil and across the country.
Limerick City and County councillors and TDs have reacted to the breaking news.
“I thought Jim was going to win,” said Fianna Fáil councillor Martin Ryan of Cappamore–Kilmallock. “I feel disappointed, which really, I’d say is an understatement,” he added.
Gavin had been Fianna Fáil’s presidential nominee, chosen by party leader and Taoiseach Micheál Martin ahead of Ireland South MEP Billy Kelleher.
“There will be questions asked,” said Cllr Ryan when asked if the party would question the leadership’s decision to nominate Gavin.
Limerick TD and Minister of State Niall Collins agreed. “There’s no two ways about it — the largest party in government, the largest party in local government, and in the middle of the presidential campaign our candidate has withdrawn. There’s no sugar-coating it; it’s a really disappointing moment,” he said.
Gavin’s announcement came after reports emerged over the weekend that he allegedly owed €3,300 to a former tenant of an unregistered rental property.
On Saturday, The Irish Independent reported on the dispute. During RTÉ’s This Week in Politics presidential debate on Sunday, the issue was raised with Gavin, who said: “It was a very stressful time for my family. I don’t have all the information to date, and if it happened, I’m very sorry and I will address it.”
Cllr Ryan said: “Once the news broke about the tenant, it was a matter of time — but still it was a major shock for everyone.”
TD Niall Collins said: “This is a Fianna Fáil issue, not a national crisis.”
The fallout from Gavin’s withdrawal comes less than three weeks before the presidential election, scheduled for 24 October — one day before Budget 2025.
The race now leaves Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys and independent Catherine Connolly as the remaining candidates. A Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting on Wednesday will decide who Ireland’s largest party will back in the election.