Darragh O’Brien says Jim Gavin controversy became an ‘obsession’ for Fianna Fáil

Darragh O’Brien says internal review is complete and Fianna Fáil must refocus on housing, health and cost-of-living priorities

Jim Gavin withdrew from the election in October after failing to inform the party about a previous dispute with a tenant to whom he failed to return rent overpayments worth €3,300 in 2008. Picture: Conor O'Mearain/RollingNews.ie

A Fianna Fáil minister has said he was "astonished" at how much time was taken up by his party's reaction to its failed presidential election.

Jim Gavin withdrew from the election in October after failing to inform the party about a previous dispute with a tenant to whom he failed to return rent overpayments worth €3,300 in 2008. The disaster caused controversy within Fianna Fáil and led to a 10-week process of an internal review. The review says that Mr Gavin was asked on five occasions about the issue, but never gave full accounts.