Martin put ‘extensive pressure’ on Fianna Fáil TDs to back Gavin

By Cillian Sherlock, PA

Fianna Fáil representatives were put under “extensive pressure” to back Jim Gavin by Micheál Martin and Jack Chambers, a party TD has said.

Cork East TD James O’Connor said Mr Gavin “should have never found himself on the ballot paper” after the candidate spectacularly withdrew from the presidential race amid a dispute with a former tenant.

His decision to drop out shook up the presidential contest and put Fianna Fáil in disarray as figures from inside and out of the party described the development as a “complete shambles”.

In a statement, Mr O’Connor said the party must “resolutely address our mistakes and political misjudgments” from the campaign, as he questioned the judgement of Fianna Fáil’s leader Mr Martin and deputy leader Mr Chambers

He said many colleagues believed nominating Mr Gavin was a “serious risk” due to his “glaring lack” of political experience.

He accused the leadership of making a “serious miscalculation” by not listening to these concerns.

“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 on the 9th of September.”

Mr Gavin was selected to run for Fianna Fáil against Fine Gael choice Heather Humphreys and left-wing Independent Catherine Connolly, who has the backing of Sinn Féin, the Social Democrats and Labour.

However, he withdrew late on Sunday night after being dogged by questions about claims he owed a former tenant thousands of euro for a rental arrangement that was not properly registered.

Fianna Fáil is due to hold a meeting of its parliamentary party on Wednesday to discuss the issues surrounding its campaign.

Mr Gavin, an aviation official who was formerly a military pilot and Dublin GAA manager, withdrew from the contest after acknowledging he “made a mistake”.

The Irish Independent reported claims from a tenant who said he had failed to recover more than €3,000 in overpaid rent from Mr Gavin 16 years ago.

I take responsibility for that and I want to acknowledge that many, many members of the party are hurting out there because of what has transpired

Mr Martin said his party conducted “comprehensive due diligence” on Mr Gavin and, while knowing he was a former landlord, was not aware of the rent issue.

The Taoiseach said his decision to back Mr Gavin was to have a “broad-based candidate”.

He said: “I take responsibility for that and I want to acknowledge that many, many members of the party are hurting out there because of what has transpired.”

Mr Martin, who insisted it was his intention to continue leading Fianna Fáil, said he was open to engaging the parliamentary party for a comprehensive review.

It has been confirmed that Mr Gavin’s name will remain on the ballot.

Any votes for Mr Gavin will be counted and then, because of the transferable vote process, that support will be distributed proportionally to other candidates, if necessary.

The presidential election will be held on October 24th.