Aug 24th: Texts began circulating among backbench Fianna Fáil TDs that party leader Micheál Martin’s preferred candidate was former Dublin GAA manager Jim Gavin. Martin later revealed he met Gavin on several occasions in July after several people had suggested his name.
Aug 26th: Columnist and former government adviser Gerry Howlin said he had to Google Gavin to find out about him, signalling his reach did not extend beyond the GAA. He and former Fianna Fáil adviser Derek Mooney cautioned about choosing a candidate with no experience of politics or law.
Aug 27th: Senior sources in the party confirmed they expected Gavin to enter the race. Others said to be interested in contesting were former taoiseach Bertie Ahern and former minister Mary Hanafin.
Aug 28th: It became known that the South MEP Billy Kelleher was also contacting party members to seek nomination. Earlier that week, Kelleher had said he was not interested, but by Friday he confirmed his candidacy, saying members would prefer a “robust” debate rather than a “coronation”. Colleagues said part of Kelleher’s motivation may have been frustration at Martin’s “top-down” style of management of the party.
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Aug 30th: Martin endorsed Gavin, saying: “He has the right values; he has a life of service to the nation.”
Sep 1st: The Irish Times reports that Gavin has the backing of all the Cabinet and many backbenchers.
Sep 4th: Ahern concedes he does not have the backing in the party.
Sep 9th: Gavin is selected as the candidate by a margin of 41 votes to 29 for Kelleher.
Sep 10th: Gavin’s first controversy. In a media interview he said the bombing has to be stopped because Israel’s “military objectives have probably been reached”. He described what was happening as a genocide but Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty pounced on the comments, describing them as “shocking”.
Sep 15th: In a seemingly trivial event, Gavin’s promotional video targeted at rural Ireland backfired when most attention focused on him wearing white trousers and not closing the gate.
Sep 20th: Sinn Féin backed Catherine Connolly in the election.
Sep 22nd: Social media companies were asked to remove posts sharing false and distressing information as part of a smear campaign against Gavin and his family.
Sep 22nd: Independent Gareth Sheridan failed to get the backing of Louth and Offaly councils, bringing an end to his bid to get on the ticket.
Sep 24th: Maria Steen failed to secure 20 Oireachtas members to back her candidacy, falling just two short. She criticised “oppressive” political consensus.
Sep 25th: Gavin praised Women of Honour but said he did not see bullying or sexism during his career in the Defence Forces.
Sep 28th: Gavin launched his presidential campaign in Dublin. He criticised “misuse” of the Irish flag by extreme political players.
Sep 29th: The first live debate was held by Virgin Media TV. Gavin appeared nervous and halting, struggling to get his point across against two experienced political opponents. Several Fianna Fáil TDs expressed doubt privately over his suitability as a candidate.
Sep 30th: A series of gaffes with promotional videos came to light. Gavin’s campaign failed to get permission for using drones in restricted areas. This was embarrassing for the candidate who was the director of operations for the regulator, the Irish Aviation Authority. He also had to remove footage and photographs showing him meeting the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces and being cheered on by soldiers as he ran a 10km race.
Oct 1st: Gavin canvassed in Roscommon. Politicians who have accompanied him throughout the country said he is excellent at face-to-face engagement.
Oct 2nd: The Irish Independent contacted Fianna Fáil with information about a dispute between Gavin and a former tenant who said he was owed €3,300 in rent overpayment dating from 2009.
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Oct 3rd: Gavin told Fianna Fáil he had “no record or recollection” of the events, according to the party’s director of elections and deputy leader, Jack Chambers.
Oct 4th: The tenant contacted the party and said he has records relating to the issue. This contradicted what the party had said to the media. Gavin retrieved some records that seemed to contradict the first response. This presented a “serious issue” for the campaign, Chambers said on Monday.
Oct 5th: The second televised interview between the three candidates aired on RTÉ’s The Week in Politics. Asked about the disputed €3,300, Gavin said he was “researching” the issue but would provide a comprehensive answer. He admitted he did not register the property at the time as was required by law.
Oct 5th: At 10.30pm, Gavin issued a statement saying he would be withdrawing from the race. He said he had reflected on the issue involving the non-payment of the rent and concluded he “made a mistake that was not in keeping with my character and the standards I set myself”.
He said he was taking steps to address the matter. In his statement, he also referenced the potential impact of the campaign on the wellbeing of his family and friends.
