Jim Gavin repays €3,300 owed to tenant 

Former presidential election hopeful Jim Gavin and Niall Donald of the 'Sunday World'. Mr Donald was the tenant at the centre of the scandal that led to Mr Gavin dropping out of the presidential election race. Picture: Conor O'Mearain/Crime World Youtube

Former Fianna Fáil presidential candidate Jim Gavin has repaid the €3,300 he owed to a former tenant.

A source close to the former tenant, Niall Donald, confirmed Mr Gavin had repaid him the €3,300.

Mr Gavin dramatically withdrew from the presidential race following claims he owed former tenant Mr Donald more than €3,000 for a rental arrangement that was not properly registered.

Mr Donald — co-host of the Crime World podcast with Nicola Tallant — addressed the controversy on the show on Wednesday.

In the podcast, released earlier on Wednesday, Mr Donald said it was a “complicated story in one way, but simple in another," explaining he began renting the apartment with a friend in Smithfield, Dublin, in 2007, paying via a standing order.

Mr Donald had “very little dealings” with Mr Gavin and was unaware of his sporting past. When his friend moved out, his partner moved into the apartment.

“Whatever way the standing orders were changed, I had two standing orders. There was an increase in the rent, and instead of changing my standing order, I just added another one.”

 Mr Donald lived there until 2009, at which point — as reported by the Irish Examiner — the couple were expecting a baby.

More to follow.