Jim Gavin campaign deletes Instagram video after Defence Forces member named in Lebanon

Jim Gavin deleted an Instagram video naming a Defence Forces member in Lebanon, as rivals warned against politicising the military

Fianna Fáil presidential candidate Jim Gavin. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Presidential candidate Jim Gavin has removed an Instagram video after naming a serving Defence Forces member in Lebanon.

The clip was originally posted on Wednesday after Mr Gavin took part in the An Cosantóir 10km Road Race.

A spokesperson for Mr Gavin’s campaign confirmed it was deleted out of "an abundance of caution.”

"The Defence Forces is a non-political organisation. At no point was there an attempt to politicise anyone,” the spokesperson said.

“For the avoidance of any doubt the name referenced has been removed.

“There is no security breach. The Defence Forces personnel serving on this UNIFIL mission are well identified and photographed by the media in advance of deployment, as well as during the mission.” 

The statement added that Mr Gavin served in the Defence Forces for over 20 years and regularly participates in the 10km race.

Mr Gavin has deleted several other social media posts in recent days showing Defence Forces members in uniform.

In one deleted post, he was pictured with the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy.

Meanwhile, Fine Gael presidential candidate Heather Humphreys said people should not politicise the Defence Forces when asked about Mr Gavin’s posts.

Pressed on whether she believed they had been politicised in this case, Ms Humphreys said: “I just know that the Defence Forces are outside of politics and I think that we must respect that and we shouldn’t undermine that in any way.”