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With an unexpected announcement, one of the primary hopefuls in Ireland's election for president has quit the campaign, reshaping the election dynamics.

Withdrawal Announcement Transforms Political Contest

Fianna Fáil's presidential hopeful stepped down on the evening of Sunday following disclosures about an outstanding payment to a previous occupant, transforming the race into an volatile direct competition between a moderate right past cabinet member and an autonomous progressive member of parliament.

The 54-year-old Gavin, a political novice who entered the election after careers in sport, aviation and the military, quit after it was revealed he had not repaid a overpaid rent of €3,300 when he was a landlord about a decade and a half ago, during a period of economic hardship.

"It was my fault that was not in keeping with my values and the expectations I hold. Corrective actions are underway," he declared. "I have also thought long and hard, concerning the influence of the ongoing campaign on the wellbeing of my relatives and acquaintances.

"Weighing all these factors, I have decided to withdraw from the campaign for president with right away and return to the arms of my family."

Race Narrowed to Two Main Contenders

A major surprise in a presidential campaign in recent history narrowed the contest to one candidate, a ex-minister who is representing the governing moderate right Fine Gael party, and another candidate, an frank advocate for Palestine who is endorsed by Sinn Féin and small leftwing opposition parties.

Problem for Leader

The withdrawal also caused a problem for the leader of Fianna Fáil, Micheál Martin, who had put his reputation on the line by choosing an untried candidate over the doubts of associates in the party.

He commented Gavin did not want to "cause dispute" to the office of president and was justified in leaving. "Gavin recognized that he made an error in relation to an matter that has come up lately."

Campaign Struggles

Despite a reputation for capability and achievements in enterprise and sports – Gavin had steered Dublin's Gaelic football team to five consecutive championship victories – his political bid struggled through missteps that put him at a disadvantage in an opinion poll even ahead of the debt news.

Fianna Fáil figures who had opposed selecting Gavin said the situation was a "significant mistake" that would have "repercussions" – a implied threat to the leader.

Ballot Process

The candidate's name may still appear for selection in the poll taking place in late October, which will conclude the lengthy term of Michael D Higgins, but people must choose between a binary choice between a mainstream moderate hopeful and an non-aligned left-leaning candidate. A poll taken before his departure gave Connolly 32% support and 23 percent for Humphreys, with Gavin on 15%.

As per election guidelines, people pick contenders based on preference. If no candidate exceeds a majority in round one, the contender receiving the lowest first preference votes is removed and their ballots are redistributed to the following option.

Likely Support Redistribution

It was expected that in the event of his exclusion, a majority of his ballots would go to Humphreys, and conversely, boosting the chance that a establishment hopeful would secure the presidency for the allied parties.

Function of the President

This office is a largely symbolic post but Higgins and his predecessors made it a stage for international matters.

Final Contenders

The 68-year-old Connolly, from Galway, would add a firm left-leaning stance to that legacy. Connolly has attacked capitalist systems and said the organization constitutes "a fundamental element" of the Palestinian community. She has charged NATO of promoting military solutions and equated Germany's increased defence spending to the thirties, when Germany underwent rearmament.

Humphreys, 62, has been subjected to review over her performance in government in governments that presided over a accommodation problem. Being a member of that faith from the county Monaghan near the border, she has also been questioned about her failure to speak Gaelic but commented her religious background could assist in gaining unionist community in a united Ireland.