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apolitical organisation
Jim Gavin removes references to Defence Forces members in social media posts
Jim Gavin’s team has said the reference to a named member of UNIFIL was removed from a video ‘out of an abundance of caution’.
JIM GAVIN’S VIDEOS posted on social media have gotten him in more bother, with the Fianna Fáil presidential candidate having to take down and re-edit two social media posts over issues raised regarding the Defence Forces.
One video had to be taken down and re-edited as it showed Gavin running while talking about “a call” he just had yesterday morning with a member serving on the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon.
It comes after Gavin was yesterday forced to remove and, again, re-edit a campaign video showing uniformed army personnel clapping as he participated in a road run. The social media post also included a photo of Gavin with his arm around the Defence Forces chief of staff.
The issue with both posts is the Irish Defence Forces are meant to be an apolitical organisation.
A statement from a spokesperson for the Gavin campaign regarding the video mentioning a phone call to a member of UNIFIL, told The Journal:
Out of an abundance of caution, we have removed the name referenced in the video. The Defence Forces is a non-political organisation.
“At no point was there an attempt to politicise anyone. Jim Gavin served in the Defence Forces for over 20 years and participated in the 10km run as he has done regularly over the years. For the avoidance of any doubt the name referenced has been removed.”
I’ve just finished An Cosantóir 10k run here at iconic Mc Kee barracks along with my colleagues here in @defenceforces. It’s a great cause helping to ensure that no veteran is left behind. pic.twitter.com/OYEFtji9Kk
— Jim Gavin For President (@gavinforthearas) October 1, 2025
They went on to state that there was “no security breach”, stating that the Defence Forces personnel serving on this UNIFIL mission are well identified and photographed by the media in advance of deployment, as well as during the mission.
Photograph with Defence Forces chief of staff
In terms of the photograph with the chief of staff, the spokesperson said footage is taken of Jim Gavin every day as he continues his campaign across the country.
“Photos and videos are kept under regular review and often edited. As a veteran, Jim participated in this event as he does frequently. The campaign team had the footage under review yesterday and removed one picture as Jim is clear he does not want to politicise anyone.”
A statement from the Defence Forces on the two matters said:
“Óglaigh na hÉireann is an apolitical organisation. The An Cosantóir 10km Road Race and 5km Walk is open to all Permanent Defence Forces, Reserve Defence Forces, Department of Defence and Veterans.”
They said Gavin completed the race on behalf of Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel (ONE).
Earlier this week, Gavin was forced to explain how drone footage, which did not have the proper permission to fly and film, appeared in one of his videos.
Gavin has said he did not see a drone that was filming material for his campaign flying without permission during a park run in Dublin at the weekend.
Gavin and Fianna Fáil’s deputy leader Jack Chambers took part in the park run in Porterstown on Saturday. Footage of the run taken by the drone was circulated as part of Gavin’s campaign on social media.
The Irish Independent reported that the park is a “red zone” where drones are not allowed to fly without permission. The drone used had not received permission to operate in the area.
Gavin, the chief operations officer at the Irish Aviation Authority, said that if he had seen the drone, he would’ve asked the operator whether permission to fly had been obtained.
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