In a candid admission that has sent shockwaves through Fianna Fáil ranks, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has apologised unreservedly for the party’s disastrous handling of Jim Gavin’s presidential candidacy, labelling it a “tough day” and a “serious miscalculation” that has plunged the party into crisis just weeks before the election.
Speaking to RTÉ ahead of a tense parliamentary party meeting, Martin took full responsibility for backing the former Dublin GAA manager, whose abrupt withdrawal on Sunday night followed revelations of a long-buried dispute with a former tenant over a €3,300 rent refund from 2009. “I accept that many members are hurting, and rightly so,” Martin said. “We conducted comprehensive due diligence, but clearly, we failed to uncover this issue adequately. Jim was repeatedly asked, and he assured us there was no problem. I own this error – it was not a fair representation of our process, and I apologise to our members, supporters, and the public for letting them down.”
The saga began with a press query on September 8, the day before Gavin’s selection, which the party dismissed based on his assurances. But over the weekend, the tenant produced records contradicting Gavin’s claim of no recollection, forcing his hand. In a statement, Gavin admitted the “mistake was not in keeping with my character” and pledged to repay the sum, but it was too late to salvage the campaign.
Internal critics, including TD James O’Connor, accused Martin and deputy leader Jack Chambers of exerting extensive pressure on hesitant colleagues to back the politically inexperienced Gavin, ignoring warnings of risk.
Gavin’s name will remain on the ballot due to procedural deadlines, but his exit leaves Fianna Fáil scrambling for a strategy against Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys and Sinn Féin-backed Catherine Connolly. Analysts say the fallout questions Martin’s judgment, with some whispering of leadership challenges.
Martin urged unity, vowing to refund the tenant and refocus on a strong national campaign. Yet, as one senior party source put it: “This is a self-inflicted wound that could scar us for years.”
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