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

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

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.

At least they could not be linked to the omnishambles that was unfolding. While it was clear over the last few days that Mr Gavin was destined to fall, it was clear from the get-go that he never stood a chance and, ultimately, was being set up to fail.

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.

In the absence of information, anger grew, and one of the party’s longest-serving figures, Billy Kelleher, put his neck on the line to try to force an election.

From the minute Mr Gavin secured his place on the ballot paper, he was on the back foot.

Taking a risk

Critics said he was politically inexperienced, would not be able to withstand the debates, and would flail in front of the hungry political journalists looking for blood during a testy presidential election.

It was also suggested that the party was taking a risk on someone they did not know. The Taoiseach and senior Fianna Fáil sources insisted this would not be the case. Mr Gavin was “very well-known” and would be a great candidate, Mr Martin said.

In the end, they ended up with egg on their faces as every single prediction that was made about Mr Gavin’s performance in this election came to pass.

If politicians were avoiding canvassing last week, this intensified over the weekend when the Irish Independent published a story stating Mr Gavin had not registered a property with the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) and had failed to repay €3,300 in rent overpayments.

The story immediately sent red flags throughout the party, and his appearance on RTÉ’s The Week in Politics debate solidified it.

Standing nervously with fists clenched by his sides, Mr Gavin repeated that it was a “stressful time” for his family, He added that he had to do more “research” and “gather data information”.

A video posted by this Irish Examiner journalist showing Mr Gavin dodging questions about whether he accepted that he had not adhered to the law by not registering the property was instantly sent around Fianna Fáil WhatsApp groups.

Several TDs said on Sunday evening that Mr Martin and Mr Chambers would start to distance themselves from Mr Gavin when it all started going wrong.

As the Taoiseach hit the phones, TDs said the party “couldn’t be expecting people to go out to campaign for him”.

If he had been listening to his TDs, Micheál Martin could have avoided this sorry affair.