🔗 Share this article The Jim Gavin Withdraws from Ireland's Race for the Presidency With an unexpected announcement, a key primary candidates in Ireland's election for president has left the contest, upending the entire competition. Sudden Exit Shakes Up Campaign Landscape The party's Jim Gavin pulled out on Sunday night following reports about an financial obligation to a previous occupant, turning the election into an volatile direct competition between a moderate right ex-minister and an autonomous progressive legislator. Gavin, 54, a inexperienced candidate who entered the campaign after professional experiences in sport, aviation and the military, withdrew after it came to light he had not repaid a rent overpayment of 3,300 euros when he was a property owner about 16 years ago, during a period of economic hardship. "I made a mistake that was contrary to my character and the standards I set myself. I am now taking steps to address the matter," he stated. "After careful consideration, regarding the possible effects of the ongoing campaign on the welfare of my loved ones and companions. "Weighing all these factors, I have decided to withdraw from the presidential election contest with immediate action and rejoin my loved ones." Race Narrowed to Primary Hopefuls The most dramatic event in a presidential campaign in recent history reduced the field to Heather Humphreys, a past government official who is running for the incumbent center-right Fine Gael party, and another candidate, an frank supporter of Palestinian rights who is backed by a political party and minor progressive groups. Problem for Leader This departure also created turmoil for the leader of Fianna Fáil, Micheál Martin, who had put his reputation on the line by selecting an inexperienced hopeful over the doubts of party colleagues. Martin said the candidate wished to avoid "bring controversy" to the presidency and was right to withdraw. "Gavin recognized that he committed a mistake in relation to an matter that has come up lately." Political Difficulties Although known for competence and success in business and sport – under his leadership Dublin's Gaelic football team to five straight titles – his political bid struggled through gaffes that left him trailing in an survey even before the unpaid debt disclosure. Party members who had objected to picking the candidate said the episode was a "significant mistake" that would have "ramifications" – a barely concealed caution to the leader. Election Rules The candidate's name may stay on the voting paper in the vote scheduled for October 24, which will conclude the lengthy term of the current president, but the electorate now confronts a dichotomy between a traditional center candidate and an independent leftwinger. A poll taken before the withdrawal gave Connolly a third of the vote and Humphreys nearly a quarter, with 15 percent supporting Gavin. Under electoral rules, the electorate chooses contenders based on preference. In case nobody reaches a majority in round one, the hopeful with the fewest initial choices is excluded and their ballots are redistributed to the subsequent choice. Possible Ballot Shifts It was expected that should Gavin be removed, most of his votes would go to Humphreys, and vice versa, enhancing the possibility that a mainstream contender would attain the presidency for the allied parties. Role of the Presidency This office is a largely symbolic post but the current and former presidents turned it into a platform on global issues. Final Contenders The 68-year-old Connolly, from her home city, would add a firm left-leaning stance to that tradition. She has criticized capitalist systems and remarked the organization constitutes "a fundamental element" of the people of Palestine. She has charged NATO of promoting military solutions and compared the country's raised military budget to the pre-war era, when Germany underwent rearmament. The 62-year-old Humphreys, has faced scrutiny over her record as a minister in administrations that managed a accommodation problem. A Presbyterian from the border county of Monaghan, she has also been criticised over her lack of Irish language skills but stated her faith tradition could assist in gaining loyalists in the North in a combined country.