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In a stunning development, a key primary candidates in Ireland's race for president has quit the race, dramatically altering the entire competition.

Sudden Exit Transforms Election Dynamics

Fianna Fáil's presidential hopeful pulled out on Sunday night following disclosures about an outstanding payment to a former tenant, transforming the race into an uncertain direct competition between a centre-right past cabinet member and an non-aligned left-leaning parliamentarian.

The 54-year-old Gavin, a inexperienced candidate who entered the campaign after work in athletics, flying and armed forces, stepped aside after it emerged he had not repaid a excess rental payment of over three thousand euros when he was a lessor about in the mid-2000s, during a period of financial difficulty.

"It was my fault that was contrary to who I am and the principles I uphold. Corrective actions are underway," he said. "I have also thought long and hard, regarding the possible effects of the continuing election battle on the wellbeing of my relatives and acquaintances.

"After evaluating everything, I have decided to withdraw from the campaign for president with right away and rejoin my loved ones."

Race Narrowed to Two Main Contenders

The most dramatic event in a election race in recent history limited the options to Heather Humphreys, a past government official who is representing the incumbent center-right party Fine Gael, and another candidate, an vocal supporter of Palestinian rights who is backed by Sinn Féin and small leftwing opposition parties.

Problem for Leader

The withdrawal also caused a problem for the leader of Fianna Fáil, the party chief, who had risked his standing by selecting an unproven contender over the doubts of fellow members.

Martin said it was about not wanting to "create turmoil" to the presidential role and was justified in leaving. "Gavin recognized that he was at fault in relation to an situation that has come up lately."

Political Difficulties

Although known for competence and success in business and sport – he guided the Dublin football squad to five consecutive championship victories – his election effort faltered through blunders that left him trailing in an opinion poll even ahead of the debt news.

Party members who had opposed selecting the candidate said the situation was a "major error in judgment" that would have "consequences" – a barely concealed caution to Martin.

Voting System

His name may remain on the ballot in the poll taking place in late October, which will conclude the lengthy term of President Higgins, but voters now face a dichotomy between a mainstream moderate hopeful and an independent leftwinger. Opinion research conducted ahead of his departure gave 32 percent backing for Connolly and Humphreys 23%, with Gavin on 15%.

Under electoral rules, voters select candidates in order of preference. If no candidate exceeds 50% on the first count, the hopeful with the fewest initial choices is excluded and their votes are transferred to the subsequent choice.

Possible Ballot Shifts

It was expected that should Gavin be removed, the bulk of his support would shift to the other candidate, and conversely, boosting the chance that a mainstream contender would attain the presidency for the allied parties.

Role of the Presidency

The role of president is a primarily ceremonial position but the current and former presidents transformed it into a venue for worldwide concerns.

Surviving Hopefuls

The 68-year-old Connolly, from Galway, would add a firm left-leaning stance to that tradition. She has criticized free-market policies and said Hamas is "part of the fabric" of the people of Palestine. She has charged NATO of promoting military solutions and likened 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 accommodation problem. Being a member of that faith from the border county of Monaghan, she has also been questioned about her failure to speak Gaelic but commented her Protestant heritage could aid in securing Northern Ireland's unionists in a reunified nation.