The Candidate Withdraws from Irish Presidential Race

In a stunning development, one of the leading contenders in Ireland's presidential election has withdrawn from the contest, reshaping the election dynamics.

Sudden Exit Shakes Up Political Contest

Fianna Fáil's Jim Gavin pulled out on the evening of Sunday following disclosures about an outstanding payment to a previous occupant, turning the election into an uncertain direct competition between a centre-right ex-minister and an autonomous progressive parliamentarian.

The 54-year-old Gavin, a inexperienced candidate who was parachuted into the election after professional experiences in sport, aviation and the military, withdrew after it emerged he had not repaid a rent overpayment of €3,300 when he was a lessor about in the mid-2000s, during a period of monetary strain.

"It was my fault that was not in keeping with my values and the expectations I hold. I am currently resolving the issue," he said. "I have also thought long and hard, concerning the influence of the continuing election battle on the welfare of my family and friends.

"Taking all these considerations onboard, I have decided to withdraw from the campaign for president with immediate action and return to the arms of my family."

Race Narrowed to Two Main Contenders

The biggest shock in a election race in modern times reduced the field to one candidate, a ex-minister who is campaigning for the ruling centre-right Fine Gael party, and another candidate, an outspoken supporter of Palestinian rights who is supported by Sinn Féin and small leftwing opposition parties.

Crisis for Leadership

This departure also caused a problem for the prime minister and party head, the party chief, who had risked his standing by choosing an unproven contender over the skepticism of party colleagues.

Martin said Gavin did not want to "bring controversy" to the office of president and was justified in leaving. "Gavin recognized that he was at fault in relation to an matter that has come up lately."

Campaign Struggles

Even with a track record of skill and accomplishments in enterprise and sports – under his leadership the capital's GAA team to five straight titles – his political bid struggled through gaffes that put him at a disadvantage in an public opinion measure even prior to the financial revelation.

Individuals within Fianna Fáil who had opposed selecting Gavin said the episode was a "serious miscalculation" that would have "consequences" – a barely concealed caution to the leader.

Election Rules

The candidate's name may still appear for selection in the vote scheduled for October 24, which will end the 14-year tenure of President Higgins, but people must choose between a dichotomy between a mainstream moderate hopeful and an non-aligned left-leaning candidate. Opinion research conducted ahead of Gavin's exit gave Connolly a third of the vote and Humphreys nearly a quarter, with 15 percent supporting Gavin.

According to voting regulations, voters select candidates in order of preference. If no candidate exceeds a majority in round one, the contender receiving the lowest first preference votes is excluded and their support is passed to the following option.

Likely Support Redistribution

It was expected that in the event of his exclusion, most of his votes would go to Humphreys, and the other way around, enhancing the possibility that a mainstream contender would win the presidential office for the Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael coalition.

Function of the President

This office is a largely symbolic post but Higgins and his predecessors turned it into a platform on global issues.

Final Contenders

Connolly, 68, from her home city, would bring a strong leftwing voice to that legacy. She has assailed free-market policies and said the group represents "a fundamental element" of the Palestinian community. She has charged the alliance of warmongering and equated the country's raised military budget to the pre-war era, when Germany underwent rearmament.

Humphreys, 62, has been subjected to review over her time in office in administrations that managed a housing crisis. A Presbyterian from the border county of Monaghan, she has also been faulted for her lack of Irish language skills but stated her faith tradition could aid in securing loyalists in the North in a united Ireland.