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JIM GAVIN HAS announced that he has withdrawn from the presidential election.
In a statement released by Fianna Fáil in the last few minutes, the former Dublin GAA manager said he had decided “to withdraw from the presidential election contest with immediate effect and return to the arms of my family”.
It comes after he failed to clarify reports on today’s The Week in Politics debate that he allegedly did not repay a tenant €3,300 in rent mistakenly paid over a decade ago.
In the statement, Gavin said recent days “have given me 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,” he said.
“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.”
The Irish Independent reported yesterday that Gavin and his wife rented out an apartment in Dublin’s north-inner city to a number of tenants. Between the years 2007 and 2009, a couple were living in the Gavins’ apartment.
When they moved out, it is alleged that due to a standing order in place, several months’ worth of rent were mistakenly paid to Gavin. The tenant reportedly went to lengths to track down Gavin to ask that the money be repaid, but allegedly despite a promise that it would, the money was never returned.
Asked about the claims today during RTÉ’s presidential debate, Gavin neither confirmed or denied the authenticity of the story, instead saying he would “look into it”.
He said it was a stressful time for him and his family and that they got into financial difficulty at the time.
“It was over 16 years ago, a very stressful time for the family. I’m looking into it. I will deal with it with that, with urgency,” he said.
“If it happened, I’m very sorry that it happened.”
Gavin said he announced his campaign “in a spirit of lifelong public service and a love of country” and said he “always knew the campaign would be robust and challenging”.
“Anyone who knows me knows that I have never shirked from a contest. I have always sought to act in honour and good faith.”
He said he has been “humbled by the encouragement and kind words I received” throughout his campaign”.
“So many people have gone out of their way to support me in so many ways, and I would like to express my sincere thanks to them. I truly hope you understand my decision and do not feel let down.”
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has confirmed that Gavin informed him of his intention to step away from the presidential campaign with immediate effect this evening.
“I fully understand his decision and believe it is the correct one,” the Fianna Fáil leader said in a statement.
“Jim has accepted that he made an error in relation to an issue that has arisen in recent days. He himself has said the office of Uachtarán na hÉireann is the highest in the land and the pinnacle of public service. He is clear that he does not want to bring controversy onto this office.”
Martin said it was a difficult decision for Gavin, adding: “I wish him well. I have no doubt that he will continue to make a significant contribution to Irish life and society.”
The move means that the election is now two horse race between Independent Catherine Connolly and Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys.
The latest Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks poll, published this morning before the RTÉ debate, had Connolly leading the race on 32%, with Humphreys on 23% and Gavin on 15%.
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