Louise Burne: Jim Gavin's doomed campaign could have been avoided if leadership listened to TDs

Jim Gavin’s short-lived presidential campaign reveals a Fianna Fáil divided, frustrated, and unwilling to rally behind its own leader’s pick

As Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s man, the former Dublin GAA manager was parachuted into the election amid anger in the party about a lack of transparency from the Taoiseach and the director of elections, Jack Chambers, about the process in place to choose a candidate. Picture: Dan Linehan

It was clear that the writing was on the wall in the days leading up to Jim Gavin’s withdrawal from the presidential election as Fianna Fáil TDs actively sought to avoid canvassing for him.

Just 30 minutes after Mr Gavin issued his bombshell statement on Sunday evening, confirming he was pulling out of the contest, one TD expressed gratitude that they did not have to hit the doors for him.