Jim Gavin, Fianna Fail’s candidate in the Irish presidential race, has quit the contest after acknowledging he “made a mistake that was not in keeping with my character”.
His decision to drop out means there are just two people left: Fine Gael’s candidate Heather Humphreys and left-wing independent Catherine Connolly.
Mr Gavin, 54, faced repeated questioning during a televised debate and subsequent media interest about claims he owed a former tenant €3,000 (£2,600) in overpaid rent dating back 16 years.
His departure from the race poses questions for his main backers in Fianna Fail, including the party leader and Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin, who had some pushback within the party for driving Mr Gavin’s candidacy.
In a statement released via the party on Sunday night, Mr Gavin announced: “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.
“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.”
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Micheal Martin said Mr Gavin’s decision to end his campaign was the “correct one”.
Although one poll also showed Mr Gavin was also trailing his rivals. A Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks survey put him in last place on 15%, behind Ms Connolly (32%) and Ms Humphreys (23%).
Jim Gavin, a married father-of-two, is most prominently known for his role as manager of the record-breaking Dublin side which won five successive All-Ireland Championships.
While not a career politician, he was put forward as the preferred candidate for Fianna Fail by party leader and Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin.
His 20-year career within Ireland’s Defence Forces saw him take on many roles as a commissioned officer and military pilot, also holding posts such as chief flying officer.
Heather Humphreys emerged as Fine Gael’s candidate after their initial pick Mairead McGuinness withdrew from the contest on health grounds.
She was a politician for the Cavan-Monaghan parliamentary constituency between 2011 and 2024, and previously served as deputy leader of Fine Gael and minister for social protection.
Catherine Connolly, the left-wing independent candidate, worked as a barrister and a clinical psychologist before becoming a councillor for 17 years and spending a term as Galway mayor until 2005.
She resigned from the Labour Party in 2006 after being turned down to be a running mate of then-incumbent politician Michael D Higgins.
She was first elected as an independent politician for Galway West in 2016 and later became deputy chairperson of the lower house of the Irish parliament.
People Before Profit politician Paul Murphy – who is backing Ms Connolly along with a range of independents, Sinn Fein, the Social Democrats and Labour – said the withdrawal of Mr Gavin “clarifies the nature of this campaign”.
In a statement, he said: “It is now a straight choice between a Fine Gael former Minister, Heather Humphreys and a leading independent opposition TD [elected member of parliament], Catherine Connolly”.
Fianna Fail saw internal conflict as both MEP Billy Kelleher and former leader Bertie Ahern unsuccessfully sought the party’s nomination.
Elsewhere, mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor, Riverdance star Michael Flatley and weather forecaster Joanna Donnelly were among well-known names to have sought a nomination.
