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With an unexpected announcement, a key primary candidates in Ireland's election for president has left the race, dramatically altering the entire competition.

Withdrawal Announcement Shakes Up Election Dynamics

Fianna Fáil's Jim Gavin withdrew on Sunday night following revelations about an unpaid debt to a previous occupant, converting the election into an unpredictable direct competition between a center-right past cabinet member and an non-aligned left-leaning member of parliament.

The 54-year-old Gavin, a newcomer to politics who was parachuted into the campaign after careers in sports, airline industry and defense, withdrew after it was revealed he had failed to return a rent overpayment of over three thousand euros when he was a lessor about 16 years ago, during a period of financial difficulty.

"It was my fault that was inconsistent with my character and the standards I set myself. I am currently resolving the issue," he said. "Reflecting deeply, concerning the influence of the current political contest on the health of my family and friends.

"Taking all these considerations onboard, I have decided to withdraw from the campaign for president with right away and rejoin my loved ones."

Contest Reduced to Two Main Contenders

A major surprise in a presidential campaign in recent history reduced the field to Heather Humphreys, a past government official who is representing the ruling centre-right Fine Gael party, and another candidate, an frank pro-Palestinian voice who is backed by a political party and small leftwing opposition parties.

Crisis for Leadership

The withdrawal also created turmoil for the taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader, the party chief, who had risked his standing by choosing an inexperienced hopeful over the reservations of fellow members.

The leader stated the candidate wished to avoid "bring controversy" to the presidency and was right to withdraw. "Jim has accepted that he was at fault in relation to an situation that has emerged recently."

Political Difficulties

Although known for skill and accomplishments in commerce and athletics – he guided the Dublin football squad to multiple successive wins – his political bid struggled through missteps that caused him to fall behind in an survey even ahead of the debt news.

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

Voting System

Gavin's name may remain on the ballot in the election on 24 October, which will end the 14-year tenure of President Higgins, but voters now face a binary choice between a mainstream moderate hopeful and an autonomous progressive. Survey results prior to the withdrawal gave Connolly a third of the vote and 23 percent for Humphreys, with the former candidate at 15 percent.

According to voting regulations, the electorate chooses candidates in order of preference. Should no contender surpass 50% on the first count, the contender receiving the lowest first preference votes is eliminated and their votes are transferred to the subsequent choice.

Possible Ballot Shifts

Observers anticipated that should Gavin be removed, the bulk of his support would shift to the other candidate, and conversely, increasing the likelihood that a mainstream contender would secure the presidency for the governing partnership.

Function of the President

This office is a mostly representative role but Higgins and his predecessors turned it into a platform on global issues.

Surviving Hopefuls

Connolly, 68, from her home city, would bring a strong leftwing voice to that legacy. She has criticized free-market policies and said Hamas is "part of the fabric" of the people of Palestine. She has accused Nato of militarism and equated the country's raised military budget to the pre-war era, when the Nazi leader built up military forces.

Humphreys, 62, has been subjected to review over her record as a minister in cabinets that oversaw a property shortage. As a Protestant from the border county of Monaghan, she has also been criticised over her failure to speak Gaelic but commented her religious background could assist in gaining unionist community in a combined country.