Fianna Fáil presidential candidate Jim Gavin has withdrawn from the Irish presidential election. That race now becomes a two woman context. Gavin's withdrawal follows reports of a financial dispute involving a tenant of his sixteen yers ago.
According to RTE: "It relates to a dispute with a former tenant around the time his own family came into financial difficulty, as reported by the Irish Independent yesterday.
"It was reported that an apartment owned by Mr Gavin in the north inner city was occupied by a couple between 2007 to 2009. When they left, their rent payment by standing order was still being paid into Mr Gavin's account due to a banking error, despite the tenant having cancelled the standing order.
"The former tenant told the newspaper that he wrote to Mr Gavin that €3,300 in total was paid to him in error, asking him to acknowledge the mistake made by the tenant and to refund him.
"However, the tenant claimed that the refund was never paid to him, despite numerous attempts to contact Mr Gavin, as per the report."
In a statement, Mr. Gavin said recent days gave him "cause to reflect."
"I made a mistake that was not in keeping with my character and the standards I set myself. I am now taking steps to address the matter. I have also thought long and hard about the potential impact of the ongoing campaign on the wellbeing of my family and friends.
"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."
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he fully understood Mr.Gavin's decision and believes "it is the correct one."
The withdrawal of the former Dublin football manager now leaves two women in the presidential contest, Catherine Connolly who has broad based support of parties on the Left and Heather Humphreys of Fine Gael.
