Jim Gavin has pulled out of the Presidential election race.

The Fianna Fáil candidate made the decision to end his campaign after it emerged he owes a former tenant €3,300.

During a Presidential debate on RTÉ on Sunday, the former Dublin GAA manager said he was looking into the matter, but did not have "all the information."

In a statement, Mr Gavin says he made a mistake which was not in keeping with his character and the standards he set himself, and he's now taking steps to address the matter.

Irish presidential candidates, (left to right) Fine Gael's candidate Heather Humphreys, independent candidate Catherine Connolly, who is backed by Sinn Fein and former Fianna Fail candidate Jim Gavin, during a debate on The Week in Politics at RTE studios in Donnybrook, Dublin. Picture date: Sunday October 5, 2025. Image: Conor O'Mearain / Alamy.

It means the Presidential race is now a two horse contest between Fine Gael's Heather Humphreys and Independent candidate Catherine Connolly.

Reacting to the news, Heather Humphreys says Jim Gavin has made a decision "with the best interests of his family at heart" and wished him well.

Meanwhile, Catherine Connolly said he made the right decision for himself and his family, and also wished him well.

The two remaining candidates also paid tribute to the contribution Jim Gavin has made to public service and through his work with the Defence Forces and the GAA.

09/09/2025 Dublin Ireland. Fianna Fáil party leader Micheál Martin with the winning candidate Jim Gavin speaks to the media and reporters at the Merrion Gate after winning the nomination to became their candidate for president. Photo: Eamonn Farrell/© RollingNews.ie

The former GAA football manager was backed as Fianna Fáil's Presidential candidate by party leader Micheál Martin.

His withdrawal from the election race now puts pressure on the Taoiseach, especially from TDs and Senators who backed MEP Billy Kelleher to represent the party.

Speaking this morning, the Ireland South MEP, accused his party of not doing its homework before choosing Jim Gavin as its presidential candidate.

Billy Kelleher said he feels sorry for what has been done to Jim Gavin.

"Every decision as a consequence, but I'm in this context it's very serious.

"We have a person who was, put forward as the Fianna Fáil nominee, and clearly there wasn't enough preparatory work done for the candidate, and you'd have to feel very sorry for an individual.

"I mean, what was done to Jim Gavin in terms of thrusting him into this position of what is a very difficult campaign, in my view, was completely unacceptable".

In a statement, Micheál Martin says he fully understands Jim Gavin's decision and believes it is the correct one.

The Taoiseach said Jim has accepted he made an error in relation to an issue which has arisen in recent days, and said he is clear he doesn't want to bring controversy onto this office and he wishes him well.