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

Fianna Fáil TD James O’Connor criticises party leadership, saying intense pressure and poor judgment led to Jim Gavin’s failed presidential bid

Micheál Martin with Jim Gavin walking out of Leinster House. Picture: Eamonn Farrell/© RollingNews.ie

Jim Gavin has experienced the “most unceremonious dumping on a party candidate in modern Irish political history” and should “never have found himself on the ballot paper” for the presidential election, a Cork Fianna Fáil TD has said.

James O’Connor, TD for Cork East, said party leadership made a “serious miscalculation” by not listening to members, accusing Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Fianna Fáil deputy leader Jack Chambers of putting “extensive pressure" on the parliamentary party to back Mr Gavin.