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In a stunning development, one of the leading hopefuls in the Irish presidential election has withdrawn from the race, dramatically altering the political landscape.

Withdrawal Announcement Transforms Political Contest

The party's presidential hopeful pulled out on Sunday night following disclosures about an outstanding payment to a past renter, transforming the race into an unpredictable direct competition between a moderate right former government minister and an autonomous progressive legislator.

Gavin, 54, a newcomer to politics who entered the campaign after professional experiences in sports, airline industry and defense, quit after it emerged he had failed to return a excess rental payment of over three thousand euros when he was a landlord about in the mid-2000s, during a period of economic hardship.

"I committed an error that was not in keeping with my character and the expectations I hold. I am now taking steps to address the matter," he declared. "After careful consideration, concerning the influence of the current political contest on the welfare of my loved ones and companions.

"Taking all these considerations onboard, I've chosen to exit from the presidential election contest with right away and rejoin my loved ones."

Contest Reduced to Primary Hopefuls

The biggest shock in a presidential campaign in recent history limited the options to Heather Humphreys, a former cabinet minister who is representing the incumbent center-right party Fine Gael, and Catherine Connolly, an vocal pro-Palestinian voice who is endorsed by a political party and left-leaning minor parties.

Challenge for Party Head

The withdrawal also triggered a crisis for the leader of Fianna Fáil, Micheál Martin, who had staked his authority by selecting an untried candidate over the reservations of party colleagues.

He commented the candidate wished to avoid "bring controversy" to the presidency and was justified in leaving. "Jim has accepted that he made an error in relation to an situation that has emerged recently."

Election Challenges

Despite a reputation for capability and achievements in business and sport – under his leadership the Dublin football squad to five consecutive championship victories – his political bid struggled through blunders that put him at a disadvantage in an opinion poll even prior to the financial revelation.

Fianna Fáil figures who had opposed selecting Gavin said the fiasco was a "significant mistake" that would have "ramifications" – a barely concealed caution to Martin.

Election Rules

The candidate's name may still appear for selection in the poll taking place in late October, which will finish the long service of President Higgins, but people must choose between a binary choice between a mainstream moderate hopeful and an independent leftwinger. Opinion research conducted ahead of the withdrawal gave Connolly 32% support and 23 percent for Humphreys, with Gavin on 15%.

Under electoral rules, voters select candidates in order of preference. In case nobody reaches a majority in round one, the hopeful with the fewest first preference votes is eliminated and their support is passed to the next preference.

Possible Ballot Shifts

Observers anticipated that should Gavin be removed, most of his votes would shift to the other candidate, and the other way around, enhancing the possibility that a establishment hopeful would attain the presidency for the Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael coalition.

Role of the Presidency

This office is a largely symbolic post but the current and former presidents transformed it into a stage for international matters.

Final Contenders

The 68-year-old Connolly, from her home city, would introduce a robust progressive perspective to that heritage. Connolly has attacked neoliberal economics and said Hamas is "an integral component" of the people of Palestine. Connolly has alleged the alliance of warmongering and compared Berlin's enhanced defense expenditure to the 1930s, when the Nazi leader built up military forces.

Humphreys, 62, has encountered examination over her time in office in governments that presided over a property shortage. Being a member of that faith from the county Monaghan near the border, she has also been questioned about her lack of Irish language skills but commented her Protestant heritage could assist in gaining loyalists in the North in a combined country.