Fianna Fáil Presidential Fallout: Lawless Urges Review But Says He Has Confidence In Leaders

Monday, 6 October 2025 17:50

By Martin Osborne

He said questions around due diligence and background are unavoidable.

Higher Education Minister and Kildare North Fianna Fáil TD James Lawless says lessons must be learned from the controversy surrounding Jim Gavin’s short-lived presidential bid.

Speaking after Gavin dramatically withdrew from the contest, Lawless confirmed the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party will meet this week to review the nomination process.

He said questions around due diligence and background checks are now unavoidable, acknowledging that some issues had clearly been missed.

He added that a full post-mortem will take place at Wednesday’s party meeting, stressing that while the situation was deeply disappointing, the priority for government now shifts back to tomorrow’s budget.

He said he has confidence in both Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin.

Some other Fianna Fail members, including TDs and Senators, are now questioning the judgement of party leaders in putting forward the former Dublin GAA manager.

Over the weekend, Mr Gavin said he was reviewing reports that he owes a former tenant €3,300. He explained how he did not yet have “all the information” about the case.

The Irish Independent reported that the issue dates back to a period when his family was under financial strain. The dispute concerns an apartment he owned in Dublin’s north inner city. A couple rented it between 2007 and 2009.

After they moved out, rent continued to be paid by standing order into Mr Gavin’s account due to a banking error.

The tenant told the newspaper he wrote to Mr Gavin, asking for the €3,300 to be returned. He alleged that the money was never refunded, despite repeated attempts to contact him.