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In a stunning development, a key main candidates in the Irish race for president has quit the contest, dramatically altering the entire competition.

Withdrawal Announcement Shakes Up Campaign Landscape

The party's presidential hopeful withdrew on the evening of Sunday following reports about an outstanding payment to a past renter, transforming the election into an uncertain two-horse race between a moderate right former government minister and an autonomous progressive member of parliament.

Gavin, 54, a political novice who was parachuted into the campaign after professional experiences in sport, aviation and the military, withdrew after it came to light he had neglected to refund a overpaid rent of 3,300 euros when he was a lessor about in the mid-2000s, during a period of financial difficulty.

"It was my fault that was not in keeping with my values and the standards I set myself. Corrective actions are underway," he said. "After careful consideration, regarding the possible effects of the current political contest on the welfare of my relatives and acquaintances.

"Weighing all these factors, I have decided to withdraw from the presidential election contest with immediate action and return to the arms of my family."

Race Narrowed to Two Main Contenders

The biggest shock in a presidential campaign in living memory reduced the field to one candidate, a former cabinet minister who is campaigning for the ruling centre-right party Fine Gael, and Catherine Connolly, an vocal advocate for Palestine who is endorsed by a political party and minor progressive groups.

Crisis for Leadership

Gavin's exit also created turmoil for the leader of Fianna Fáil, Micheál Martin, who had staked his authority by choosing an untried candidate over the doubts of fellow members.

He commented the candidate wished to avoid "create turmoil" to the presidential role and was correct to step down. "Jim has accepted that he committed a mistake in relation to an matter that has come up lately."

Campaign Struggles

Although known for capability and achievements in business and sport – Gavin had steered the capital's GAA team to five straight titles – his campaign had stumbled through blunders that left him trailing in an survey even prior to the financial revelation.

Individuals within Fianna Fáil who had been against choosing Gavin said the situation was a "major error in judgment" that would have "ramifications" – a implied threat to Martin.

Ballot Process

Gavin's name may stay on the voting paper in the vote scheduled for October 24, which will conclude the lengthy term of the current president, but people must choose between a two options between a mainstream moderate hopeful and an autonomous progressive. A poll taken before Gavin's exit gave Connolly a third of the vote and Humphreys nearly a quarter, with Gavin on 15%.

According to voting regulations, voters select hopefuls by ranked choice. In case nobody reaches 50% on the first count, the contender receiving the lowest first preference votes is excluded and their support is passed to the following option.

Possible Ballot Shifts

Observers anticipated that if Gavin was eliminated, most of his votes would transfer to Humphreys, and conversely, boosting the chance that a pro-government candidate would secure the presidency for the Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael coalition.

Role of the Presidency

This office is a largely symbolic post but Higgins and his predecessors transformed it into a platform on global issues.

Final Contenders

Connolly, 68, from Galway, would bring a strong leftwing voice to that tradition. She has assailed free-market policies and said Hamas is "a fundamental element" of the Palestinian people. She has accused Nato of militarism and equated Germany's increased defence spending to the thirties, when Adolf Hitler rearmed the country.

Humphreys, 62, has encountered examination over her performance in government in governments that presided over a accommodation problem. As a Protestant from the county Monaghan near the border, she has also been faulted for her failure to speak Gaelic but said her Protestant heritage could aid in securing unionist community in a united Ireland.