Cork TD: Gavin ‘should never have been on ballot’

Jim Gavin should never have been on the presidential ballot paper, a Cork Fianna Fáil TD has claimed, while the grandson of the party’s founder has suggested Taoiseach Micheál Martin is past his sell-by date as party leader.

It comes as fallout continues from Mr Gavin’s shock announcement of his withdrawal from the presidential race.

That followed reports that the former Dublin GAA football manager had owed a former tenant €3,300 for a rental arrangement that was not properly registered.

Mr Gavin was selected as Fianna Fáil’s presidential candidate on September 9 after being strongly backed by Mr Martin and deputy leader Jack Chambers.

Members of the 71-strong Fianna Fáil parliamentary party had voted for Mr Gavin over Ireland South MEP Billy Kelleher, by a margin of 41 to 29.

Cork East Fianna Fáil TD James O’Connor has joined a chorus of backbench voices criticising the leadership.

In a statement issued yesterday morning, Mr O’Connor said: “Jim Gavin should have never found himself on the ballot paper.

“He was there due to the extensive pressure put on Fianna Fáil TDs and senators by Micheál Martin and Jack Chambers.

“They repeatedly phoned each member of the parliamentary party in the days before the selection convention.

“We owe it to [Mr Gavin], his former tenant, to the members of Fianna Fáil, and most of all to the public, to fully explain how that happened and then ensure it is never repeated,” he said.

The Fianna Fáil parliamentary party is due to hold what is expected to be a fractious meeting this evening.

Mr Martin, who is due to complete his term as Taoiseach in November 2027, has said he does not believe his leadership is in danger, adding that he intends to lead the party into the next election.

Éamon Ó Cuív, a former Fianna Fáil TD for Galway West and the grandson of party founder Éamon de Valera, has suggested Mr Martin is statistically past his sell-by date as leader.

Mr Ó Cuiv told The Echo he had served in the Oireachtas under Charles Haughey, Albert Reynolds, Bertie Ahern, Brian Cowen, and Mr Martin, who has been leader for 14 years.

“He has lasted the longest of all, except the founding leader,” he said.

When reminded that his grandfather had been leader for 33 years, Mr Ó Cuív — long nicknamed ‘Dev Óg’ — retorted: “Because he was the founding leader”.

The former deputy party leader declined to be drawn on whether it was time for Mr Martin to go, saying simply that it was well-known that he disagreed with Mr Martin’s leadership.