Fianna Fáil presidential election review could be ‘resignation territory’ for Micheál Martin

Taoiseach’s leadership comes under further pressure as TDs and senators demand to know when the party first heard about Jim Gavin's issue with a former tenant

Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD with Fianna Fáil's presidential candidate Jim Gavin speaking to the media at the National Ploughing Championships in Co Offaly in September. File picture: Dan Linehan

Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s leadership of Fianna Fáil is under further pressure as politicians warn that the party’s presidential election review could be “fatal” and “resignation territory”.

TDs and senators have demanded the review clearly state when senior leadership first heard of any potential issue between Jim Gavin and a tenant.

The Irish Examiner understands the review has been returned from Mr Gavin’s lawyers but did not flag any major concerns, clearing the way for it to be published.

Timeline of Gavin revelation 

As first reported by the 'Irish Examiner', Fianna Fáil deputy leader Jack Chambers was contacted by a parliamentary party member on September 8, the day before Mr Gavin was selected as a candidate, pointing out there may be an issue with a tenant.

The review, likely to be published this week and which runs to just under 30 pages, will also show how the Taoiseach’s chief of staff, Deirdre Gillane, was told on September 5 that an issue may exist with a former tenant.

A spokesperson for Fianna Fáil described the “telephone call on September 5” as “speculative and non-specific in nature”. 

The Irish Examiner understands that the phonecall was made to Ms Gillane by a journalist.

Mr Gavin withdrew from the election in October after failing to tell Fianna Fáil that he did not repay a tenant’s rent overpayments worth €3,300 in 2008.

Then presidential candidate Jim Gavin with minister and Fianna Fáil deputy leader Jack Chambers at the Customs House in Dublin, as Mr Gavin submitted his nomination papers on September 19. Picture: Cillian Sherlock/PA 

A member of the parliamentary party contacted Mr Chambers on September 8. 

A person known to Mr Gavin had told them there could be an issue with a former tenant not getting a deposit back.

They forwarded the information to Mr Chambers on WhatsApp, and he acknowledged the message. 

The text messages were provided to the review.

Mr Gavin was selected as the party’s candidate the following day, beating Cork MEP Billy Kelleher.

Fury within Fianna Fáil

The latest reports have led to fury within Fianna Fáil, with TDs warning that questions about Mr Martin’s leadership will resurface.

One TD said people were “shocked” by the idea that Ms Gillane was made aware of a potential issue, branding it “explosive”.

“They’re calling it fatal to [Mr Martin],” they said. “They’re saying that it’s resignation territory.”

TDs said the review must be clear about when people got any inclination that any sort of issue existed.

One backbencher said they were convinced to vote for Mr Gavin and were given “assurances that the due diligence was done”. They asked: 

If it was known at senior levels, why was there a decision taken to go ahead with the vote without talking to the party about it?

A Fianna Fáil spokeswoman said they could not comment on the review as “neither the Taoiseach nor the party have yet received a copy”.

This is despite the Irish Examiner speaking to several people in Fianna Fáil who are familiar with the report’s content.

The spokesperson also said “any issue or queries raised with the party were followed up” and it is “utterly false to suggest otherwise”.